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HISTORY 

of 

DODGE COUNTY 



MRS. WILTON PHILIP COBB 












Mrs. W. P. Cobb 


Jl/FRS. COBB was born and reared in Appling County, Georgia. 

She is the daughter of Prof. John J. Davis and Adeline Hall 
Davis. She attended the schools in Appling County. At an early 
age she entered the South Georgia College at McRae, later entering 
the Georgia State College for Women at Milledgeville. 

Mrs. Cobb came of Confederate parentage, her father having seen 
service through all four years of the war. He left school at the call 
for volunteers and completed his education after the war. 

Her mother was twice married, first to Captain Middleton Graham 
of the Confederate army, who was also a prominent attorney of 
Appling County. She was one of the foremost women in helping the 
Confederacy. She, with other women of the community, made the 
uniforms for one entire company of volunteers, the “Appling 
Grays.” Her children by the above union were the late Judge 
Elisha D. Graham, for many years Judge of the Oconee Judicial 
Circuit, John W. Graham, and Mrs. Norah Graham Darling. After 
the death of Mr. Graham she was married to Prof. John J. Davis, 
one of the most prominent school teachers of that time. By this 
union her children were Mrs. Jennie Davis Sessoms and Mrs. Addie 
Davis Cobb. She was the daughter of Hon. Seaborn Hall and his 
wife, Crissie Quinn Hall. Mr. Hall was too old to enter the Con¬ 
federate service, but he sent his two sons to the front, one of whom 
was a lieutenant in the Fourth Georgia Cavalry. Mr. Hall had fought 
in the Indian wars. He represented Appling County in the Legisla¬ 
ture from 1835 to 1842. He was a delegate from Appling County 
to the Secession Convention in 1861, and served as a member of the 
Constitutional Convention of 1877 when the Constitution of the State 
of Georgia was adopted. 

It was Mr. Hall who aided in the escape of General John C. Breck- 
enridge from the Federal authorities. After the surrender at Ap¬ 
pomattox, President Davis and Gen. Breckenridge were trying to 
make their way across Georgia to Alabama. After leaving Washing¬ 
ton, Ga., where the last cabinet meeting was held, President Davis 
and Gen. Breckenridge decided to travel in different directions. Gen. 
Breckenridge crossed the Altamaha River and came to the home of 
Mr. Hall, who took him into his home and kept him for about a 
week. Upon hearing of the capture of President Davis and that 
the Federals were in close pursuit of Gen. Breckenridge, Mr. Hall 
took him in his buggy across the country into Florida, where Gen. 


Breckenridge boarded a steamer and made his escape. The entire 
trip to Florida had to be made by riding at night and hiding out 
during the day. When they parted Gen. Breckenridge was so over¬ 
whelmed with gratitude to Mr. Hall, who refused to accept any 
remuneration for his hospitality, that he insisted that he accept his 
gold watch as a token of his friendship and esteem. 

Mrs. Cobb was married on the 18th of July, 1900, to Wilton Philip 
Cobb of Villa Rica, Ga. They are the parents of one son, Wilton 
Elisha Cobb. Mr. Cobb is also of Confederate parentage, being the 
youngest son of Capt. John M. Cobb, of Company I, 56th Georgia 
Regiment. 

Mrs. Cobb is an ardent daughter of the Confederacy. She joined 
the Chapter of U. D. C. at Jesup, Ga., and then upon organization 
of the Fanny Gordon Chapter at Eastman, she had her membership 
transferred. She was corresponding secretary two years, recording 
secretary two years, and was then elected president of the chapter, 
which position she held several years. During the World War she 
was an earnest worker in all war work, was treasurer of the Dodge 
County Chapter of the American Red Cross, and was also a faithful 
worker at the Red Cross work room. She was appointed by the 
United States Treasury Department to sell Thrift and War Savings 
Stamps, and was instrumental in carrying Dodge County over the 
top in the war savings drive. 

Mrs. Cobb is also an enthusiastic member of the Daughters of 
the American Revolution, her great-grandfather, Lewis Hall of North 
Carolina, having been a lieutenant in the Revolutionary War. She 
was recording secretary of the Col. William Few Chapter for four 
years and has served as first vice-regent for a number of years. 


IV 


HISTORY 

of 

DODGE COUNTY 

BY 

Mrs. Wilton Philip Cobb 



1932 








rDsa, 


COPYRIGHT 1932 
By 

Mrs. Wilton Philip Cobr 


FOOTE & DAVieS CO , ATLANTA 


©CIA 00133 

FFR -9IQ'jo 


Dedication 

nPO the Col. Wm. Few Chapter, 
Daughters of the American 
Revolution, from whom I received 
the inspiration to write history, 
and to those sturdy men and wo¬ 
men who braved the dangers and 
hardships of the wilderness to 
open up a new era of civilization, 
I respectfully dedicate this volume. 

The Author. 


Preface 

“Histories are as perfect as the historian 
is wise, and is gifted with an eye and a 
soul .”— Carlyle. 

It may seem presumptuous for one not endowed 
with any amount of wisdom to undertake the task 
of writing a history, but “fools dare where Angels 
fear to tread.” 

The writing of this history has been a labor of 
love, love for those who have lived and toiled and 
passed on, and love for those who are still carrying 
on for the upbuilding of this county and the nation. 

It has not been an easy task to compile the mass 
of information herein contained, at times it seemed 
an almost hopeless one, but by perseverance and a 
tenacity that would not let go we have succeeded in 
giving the facts as nearly complete as we were able 
to obtain of the origin and development of the 
county of Dodge. While we confess that the book 
is not perfect, we would ask that you be charitable 
in your criticisms of same. 

Our sincerest thanks are tendered Mrs. W. B. 
Daniel, for many years regent of the Col. Wm. Few 
Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, 
Mrs. Alice Harrell, historian of the D. A. R., Mrs. 
J. M. Arthur, Miss Ethel Willcox, Mrs. E. W. Bul¬ 
lock and Miss Helen Bishop for their valuable in¬ 
formation. Especially are we indebted to Mr. 
James H. McCranie, who is possessed of such a 
wonderful memory and an unlimited knowledge of 
Dodge County and her people. Without his valu¬ 
able assistance the histories of the pioneer families 
of the county could not have been written as com¬ 
pletely as they are herein presented. Our thanks 
also to Judge J. N. Talley of Macon for valuable 
information, and to all others who in any way as¬ 
sisted in this work. 

Mrs. W. P. Cobb. 

November 8, 1932. 


vm 


Contents 


Page 

Mrs. W. P. Cobb . iii 

Dedication . . vii 

Preface .viii 

Act of 1929 Legislature . xi 

Grand Jury Presentments, November Term, 1929 .xii 

Grand Jury Presentments, May Term, 1931 .xiii 

Hernando DeSoto . 1 

Tomo-Chi-Chi . 3 

The Indians . 4 

Head-Rights and Lottery Land Grants . 6 

Georgia Troops in the Revolutionary War . 11 

Indian Troubles . 12 

Treaties With the Indians and New Counties Created . 15 

The Pioneers . 18 

Navigation on the Ocmulgee in Pioneer Days . 22 

Act Creating Dodge County . 25 

The New County . 27 

First Settlers in the New County . 32 

Agriculture in 1873 . 34 

County Officers, 1871 to 1932 . 34 

County School Superintendents and Boards of Education, 1879 to 1932.... 39 

First Superior Court . 41 

Eastman . 42 

Mayors and Clerks of Eastman, 1872-1932 . 46 

Early Marriages, 1871-1889 . 49 

Wills, 1878-1901 . 68 

Masonic Lodge . 72 

Bench and Bar of Dodge County. 79 

The Eastman Riot, 1882 . 88 

The Dodge Lands and Litigations . 90 

The Eastman Schools .110 

The County Schools .113 

Towns in Dodge County .116 

Confederate Veterans .125 

Women of the Confederacy .130 

A Confederate Mother .131 

Living Confederate Veterans .134 

Spanish-American War Veterans .136 

World War Veterans .137 

World War Activities .146 

Daughters of the American Revolution .147 

United Daughters of the Confederacy .153 

The American Legion and Auxiliary .154 

Woman’s Christian Temperance Union .154 

Physicians .158 

Dentists .161 

Veterinarians .161 

Old Trails .162 

Dodge County’s Recreation Grounds .164 

Churches in Dodge County .166 

Some Pioneers and Their Descendants .199 

Conclusion .257 


IX 





















































Illustrations 


Page 

Mrs. Wilton Philip Cobb . ii 

Dodge County Stockade . 31 

Dodge County Court House . 37 

Officers of Dodge County, 1932 . 38 

Lee-Land Hotel . 46 

The Late Judge C. B. Murrell . 48 

Masonic Lodge Building, Eastman . 79 

Eastman’s First Kindergarten .113 

Dodge County School Bus.115 

A Confederate Mother .133 

G. C. Matthews .134 

Mr. and Mrs. R. F. Burch, Sr.135 

J. B. Elkins .136 

A Military Company .137 

Mrs. John Roland .142 

Mrs. W. B. Daniel.153 

Marker Erected by U. D. C. in 1918 .157 

The Eastman Baptist Church .175 

The Eastman Methodist Church .179 

The Eastman Presbyterian Church .181 

A Baptizing at Daniel’s Mill Pond .190 

Jeremiah Bowen .203 

Jack Daniel .215 

The Mausoleum of Mr. A. G. Williamson.254 

Map of Dodge County.258 


x 



























ACT OF 1929 LEGISLATURE. 
No. 36. 


YV WHEREAS, the founding of the Colony of Georgia by GeneraL 
James Edward Oglethorpe occurred in 1733, and the two hun¬ 
dredth anniversary of that venturesome political and philanthropic 
event will occur in 1933 and should be marked in some way proper 
to its historical character, so as to perpetuate for our posterity and 
the records of the State and Nation the facts of the evolutions and 
progress of the commonwealth that became a constituent State of 
the federated republic of the United States and which was the fourth 
in order to ratify the Constitution of these United States; and 

Whereas no provision has been made by the State Government to 
celebrate and memorialize the momentous establishment of the 
colony and subsequent sovereign State; and 

Whereas there is not in existence today any comprehensive and 
contemporaneous history of the State; therefore be it 

Resolved, by the General Assembly of Georgia, both Houses thereof 
concurring herein, that the judges of the superior courts of the State 
are hereby earnestly requested to give in charge to the grand jury 
of each county in their several circuits, at the next term of the court 
therein, the urgent request of this General Assembly that they will 
secure the consent of some competent person in their county to 
prepare between now and February 12, 1933, being Georgia Day, as 
nearly a complete history of the formation, development, and prog¬ 
ress of said county from its creation up to that date, together with 
accounts of such persons, families, and public events as have given 
character and fame to the county, the State, and the Nation. And 
that said county histories be deposited on Georgia Day in 1933 in 
the State’s Department of Archives and History—there to be pre¬ 
served for the information of future citizens of the State and pros¬ 
pective biographers and historians. 

And this action is recommended to the judges, grand juries, and 
the people of all the counties of the State, for early procedure, be¬ 
cause delay will leave action in this behalf too short a time for the 
necessary research and accumulation of data to make the county 
histories as full and accurate as they should be for full historic 
value. 

Resolved further, that the Governor of the State is respectfully 
requested to transmit an officially certified copy of these resolutions 
to each of the judges of the superior courts of the State. 

Approved August 23, 1929. 


xi 


GRAND JURY PRESENTMENTS, NOVEMBER TERM, 1929 
OF DODGE SUPERIOR COURT. 


We, the grand jury chosen and sworn to serve at the November 
term of Dodge Superior Court, beg to submit the following general 
presentments: 

We have appointed Mrs. W. P. Cobb as county historian for Dodge 
County, etc. . . . 


John A. Harrell, Foreman , 

Y. M. Phillips, 

0. V. Lashley, 

F. T. Parkerson, Jr., 

G. W. McCranie, 

John R. Giddens, 

C. B. Horsford, 

M. Wynne, 

W. W. Bond, 

J. W. K. Clark, 

W. M. Whigham, 

Jack Rozar, 

L. L. Hargrove, 

J. C. Landers, 

Ross Mullis, 

R. C. Kelley, 

J. R. Smith, 

R. T. Ragan, 

Axom Phillips, 

S. C. Harrison, 

C. R. Nicholson, 

W. C. Ryals, 


J. B. Elkins, Bailiff. 


xn 


GRAND JURY PRESENTMENTS, MAY TERM OF 
SUPERIOR COURT, 1931. 


We further recommend, that whereas the General Assembly of the 
State of Georgia at their session in 1929 passed a resolution that 
each county in the State appoint a historian to write a history of 
their respective counties to commemorate the two hundredth anni¬ 
versary of the State of Georgia which occurs on February 12, 1933; 
and 

Whereas the Grand Jury of Dodge County at the November term, 
1929, of Dodge Superior Court recommended and appointed Mrs. 
W. P. Cobb as official historian to write said history of Dodge 
County, and 

Whereas Mrs. Cobb has appeared before this body and reported 
that said history is about completed and ready for publication and 
requests that this body recommend that the county have same pub¬ 


lished, 


We therefore recommend that the county have same published as 
soon as same is ready for the press. 


John B. Clark, Foreman , 
John A. Harrell, 

H. H. Peacock, 

W. H. Kelley, 

C. L. Persons, 

R. T. Ragan, 

J. H. Pitts, 

R. C. Crafton, 

R. B. Weeks, 

A. L. Thomas, 

J. C. Lewis, 

W. H. Melvin, 

Chas. McCarthey, 


W. L. Parkerson, Jr., 

B. T. Burch, 

W. T. Ryals, 

G. W. Bateman, 

Ross Mullis, 

J. B. Willcox, 

J. B. Jones, 

W. R. Giddens, 

W. C. Reaves, 

J. C. Rogers, 

P. M. Burch, 

C. R. Nicholson, 

W. P. Cobb, Secretary. 


Xlll 


































































































History of Dodge County 

HERNANDO DE SOTO. 

ENERAL OGLETHORPE was not the first white man to set foot 
on Georgia soil. Nearly two hundred years before his coming, 
in 1540, Hernando DeSoto, a Spaniard, accompanied by a band of 
six hundred Spaniards, marched through Georgia in quest of gold 
and other treasures which they thought were to be found in this new 
country. They also expected to claim the land for Spain. So far 
as can be ascertained, these were the first white men who came to 
Georgia. 

Lucien L. Knight in his Georgia’s Memorials and Legends, de¬ 
scribes DeSoto as follows: 

“Hernando DeSoto, at the time of this expedition to America, was perhaps 
the foremost man of his age at the Court of Spain. As a lieutenant-general 
under the renowned Pizarro, he bore a conspicuous part in the conquest of Peru 
and returned home flushed with distinction and enriched with the spoils of the 
Incas. But life at the Spanish Court grew tame to one whose breast was aglow 
with the spirit of adventure; and, envious of the greater fame of his old chief¬ 
tain, he sought and obtained from the Spanish Crown permission to explore an 
indefinite region of the New World, then known by the name of Florida. It 
will doubtless be remembered that the ill-fated Ponce de Leon, in search of 
his fabled fountain of youth, some years before, had bestowed this name upon 
what he took to be an island of vast magnitude and of untold wealth. 

“Dazzled by the prospect of enlarging the boundaries of his empire, the King 
readily granted this coveted boon. It was agreed that certain royalties accru¬ 
ing from the treasures obtained on the expedition, whether taken from graves 
and temples or discovered in mines, were to revert to the Crown; and in order 
that he might the more readily command a convenient base of operations for 
the hazardous enterprise, DeSoto was commissioned Governor of the Island of 
Cuba. It was not a difficult task to obtain followers. The age was one of 
romance. Tales of fabulous wealth had fired the imagination, of the Spaniard. 
DeSoto was himself sanguine of success; and though the conquest of Peru had 
netted him 180,000 crowns of gold, he expected to fill still vaster treasuries on 
this new voyage to the West. 

“Six hundred men, picked with discrimination from the chivalry of Spain, 
were obtained for the expedition. Twelve priests, eight clergymen of inferior 
rank, and four monks accompanied the party, showing that, in the feverish 
thirst for conquest, the conversion of the aborigines was not forgotten. More¬ 
over, men of letters, to perpetuate the events of the march and acquaint pos¬ 
terity with the details of an affair so momentous, were found eager to accom¬ 
pany the adventurous knights.” 


2 


History of Dodge County 


On May the 30th, 1539, DeSoto and his band landed at Tampa 
Bay on the coast of west Florida. After staying there for awhile 
they claimed the land of the State of Florida in the name of Charles 
the Fifth, and planting the flag of Spain, began their journey north¬ 
ward. They came to Tallahassee, which the Spaniards had named 
Anhayca, where they wintered. In the spring of 1540 they left 
Anhayca and crossed the Ochlockonee River. Within forty-eight 
hours after crossing this river they came to an Indian village called 
Capachiqui. The Indians were frightened and fled at their ap¬ 
proach. Their next stop was at an Indian village called Toalli, and 
it is thought to be at a point south of the Ocmulgee River in Irwin 
County. After remaining here for three days they came to Achese, 
a village located on the Ocmulgee in the neighborhood of what is 
now Abbeville. Here the Indians were again afraid of the Spaniards 
and fled when they approached. But they found the chief to be 
friendly and he informed DeSoto that further on there reigned a 
powerful king whose country was called Ocute. To assist him in 
finding the place a guide was furnished. On the first day of April 
DeSoto resumed his march, skirting the edge of a river whose shores 
were found to be thickly inhabited. On the fourth day they reached 
the town of Altamaca, and on the tenth day they entered Ocute, the 
principal town of which was probably somewhere in the neighbor¬ 
hood of the present city of Dublin. On approaching the town they 
were met by two thousand Indians, bearing as a present from the 
chief an abundance of wild game, including partridges and turkeys. 

It is not unlikely that DeSoto and his band passed through this 
section en route from Abbeville (Achese) to Dublin (Ocute). 
Indeed it is very probable that they traveled the “Chicken Road” 
which leads from Hartford on the Ocmulgee River to Dublin on the 
Oconee. This road traverses the northern section of Dodge County, 
passing through Empire, and tradition says it bears its name from 
a band of Chic-a-saw Indians who traveled it in going from the 
Oconee River to the Ocmulgee. Be that as it may, they were com¬ 
pelled to have come somewhere within this section on their march 
across the country. 

After remaining in Ocute two days the band departed and reached 
Patofa. Going on by what is now the city of Augusta, they reached 
north Georgia, it is thought the Nacoochee Valley. They traveled 


Tomo-Chi-Chi 


3 


through Franklin, Murray and Gordon Counties, and came to Chiaha 
(Rome, Ga.). On July 1, 1540, after spending nearly a month at 
Chiaha, they departed for the far west, reaching the distant slopes 
of the Rocky Mountains. But the gold and great riches for which 
DeSoto and his band braved the forests proved'an illusive phantom, 
for DeSoto, worn from the hardships of his wanderings, died, and 
was buried secretly at night in the waters of the Mississippi. Very 
few of the band ever again reached Spain. On September the 10th, 
1543, a pathetic remnant reached Panuca, in Mexico, after suffering 
untold hardships. 

It is recorded that this band of Spaniards robbed the Indians of 
their valuables, even desecrating the graves and temples, stealing 
costly ornaments, and appropriated supplies of every kind. 

TOMO-CHI-CHI. 

When General James Edward Oglethorpe founded and estab¬ 
lished the Colony of Georgia on February 12, 1733, near Savannah, 
one of his first acts was to make friends with Tomo-Chi-Chi, the 
great and much beloved chief of a detached tribe of Creek Indians. 
Oglethorpe foresaw that the only way in which they could live 
among the Indians was to make friends with them in so far as was 
possible. As the Indians were great traders Oglethorpe further de¬ 
cided to enter into trade relations with them, and on May the 18th, 
1734, the following schedule was arranged with them through Tomo- 
Chi-Chi: five buckskins for one white blanket, ten buckskins for a 
gun, five buckskins for a pistol, one buckskin for two measures of 
powder, one buckskin for sixty bullets, two buckskins for one white 
shirt, two buckskins for a hoe, two buckskins for an axe, etc. 

Tomo-Chi-Chi was above the average Indian in intelligence, and 
though a savage, he was both a warrior and a statesman. He dwelt 
apart from his kinsmen, but it is said that he was greatly venerated 
throughout the forest for his Indian wisdom, and he possessed a 
powerful influence over the native tribes. He proved to be one of 
the most zealous friends of the Georgia Colony. With his keen 
foresight he fully appreciated the advantages to be derived from 
contact with the white man, and he was anxious for his people to be 
uplifted. 


4 


History of Dodge County 


Tradition says that Tomo-Chi-Chi was ninety years of age when 
Oglethorpe landed upon the bluff at Savannah. He was about one 
hundred years of age when he died. According to his last wish 
that he be buried among the whites, his remains were taken to 
Savannah and interred in what is now Court House Square, with 
impressive ceremonies. Six of the most prominent men of Savannah 
acted as pall-bearers, Oglethorpe himself being one of them. Minute 
guns were fired from the battery as his body was lowered to its 
last resting place, and every respect was paid to the aged chief. 
His death occurred on October 15, 1739. A rough boulder of 
granite has been placed on the spot of his burial by the Georgia 
Society of Colonial Dames of America, and on a circular plate of 
copper is the following inscription: 

“In memory of Tomo-Chi-Chi, Mico of the Yamacraws, the com¬ 
panion of Oglethorpe, and the friend and ally of the Colony of 
Georgia. This stone has been here placed by the Georgia Society 
of Colonial Dames of America—1739-1899.” 

THE INDIANS. 

Prior to 1802 this section of Georgia was owned by the Creek 
Indians. It is estimated that at this time there were around twenty 
thousand of them in Georgia and eastern Alabama. 

There were three tribes of Indians in Georgia, each different and 
distinct types. They were the Creeks, the Cherokees and the Semi- 
noles. 

The Cherokee Indians occupied the northern part of Georgia and 
the southern part of Tennessee. The Creeks occupied the center and 
southeastern part of the State, extending to Savannah on the east 
and to Alabama on the west. The Seminoles lived in the southern 
part of Georgia and in Florida. The different tribes have been de¬ 
scribed as follows: 

The Creek men were tall, erect and robust; their eyes were small 
and very black; their complexions were of a reddish brown color; 
their hair long, coarse and brown. The Creek women were short 
of stature, had well-formed faces and large black eyes. 

The Cherokee men were similar in appearance to the Creek men, 
but the women were of an entirely different type from the Creek 


The Indians 


5 


women, in that they were tall, slender and erect, and of a delicate 
frame; their countenances were cheerful and friendly, and they 
moved with grace and dignity. 

The Seminoles were of a copper color, and they were over six 
feet tall. They were a more savage tribe of Indian than either of 
the other two tribes. 

The Indians had their own peculiar mode of living. They had 
their villages, which were generally near a river. It is estimated 
that the Creek Indians, which were the most powerful of all the 
tribes, had twenty or thirty towns located on the Chattahoochee and 
Flint Rivers and several on the Oconee River. Their villages were 
built of logs and boards. In the center of a village they would 
erect some sapling poles over which they would place a cover. In 
cold weather a fire would be built in the center of it and here every 
one was welcome to come. Their little huts were circled round this 
building. 

The Indians had their own religious beliefs. They believed in 
the “Great Spirit,” and also that after death their spirits returned 
to their “happy hunting grounds.” They had some sort of religious 
ceremony. 

The rivers through this section of the State were named by the 
Indians. The Chattahoochee, the Ocmulgee, Oconee, Ohoopee, Ogee- 
chee, Altamaha and the Allapaha Rivers. 

The Indians were generally peaceful, but treacherous, and when 
they would nurse a grievance against the whites they would go on 
the warpath and kill entire families. For that reason the white 
people had to build forts for the protection of the women and chil¬ 
dren whenever there was an uprising. These forts were built with 
pine poles stood upon the ends around two or three acre tracts of 
land; they were braced inside with poles and made as strong as 
possible. Inside the fort grounds were built small houses or rooms 
for the women and children. 

The Indians had trading posts, and Hartford, just across the river 
from Hawkinsville, was an Indian trading post of very great im¬ 
portance on what was then the frontier. The river at this point 
formed the boundary line, separating the territory of the whites 
from the domain of the Indians. 


6 


History of Dodge County 


HEAD-RIGHTS AND LOTTERY LAND GRANTS OF 

GEORGIA. 

Written by the Hon. Philip Cook, late Secretary of State. 
There are two characters of land in this State; one known as Head- 
Rights, and the other as Lottery Lands. 

All of that territory of the State lying west of the Savannah 
River, and extending to the Apalachee and Oconee Rivers, and also 
all lands east of original Wayne County, extending to the Atlantic 
Ocean, are known as Head-Right Lands. Grants to the same were 
first issued by the Trustees of the Colony of Georgia, under and by 
authority of King George the Third, of England; also by John Rey¬ 
nolds, Henry Ellis and James Wright, Governors of the Colony, 
under and by same authority. 

During Henry Ellis’s administration as Governor of the Colony, 
there was a good deal of dispute about the titles made by the Lords 
proprietors of Carolina, who claimed a considerable territory of 
the Colony of Georgia. He caused the following Act to be passed: 

“An Act for establishing and confirming the titles of the several inhabitants 
of this Province to their respective lands and tenements. 

“Forasmuch as many suits and contests may arise by means of pretended 
ancient titles to lands and tenements derived from and under the late Lords 
proprietors of Carolina, the conditions of which titles have not been complied 
with, and the lands have since been re-granted, for remedy and prevention 
thereof, 

“Be it enacted, That all and every person or persons that are now possessed 
of or do hold any lands or tenements whatsoever within the said Province of 
Georgia by and under grants from the late Honorable Trustees for establishing 
the Colony of Georgia or by and under grants from his Majesty obtained since 
the surrender of his charter of the said Trustees are hereby established and 
confirmed in the possession of their several and respective lands and tenements; 
and such grants thereof are hereby accordingly ratified and confirmed and 
declared to be good and valid to all intents and purposes whatsoever, against 
all, and all manner of persons claiming any estate or interest therein, by and 
under the said Lords proprietors of Carolina, or by or under any former grants 
obtained before the date of his Majesty’s charter to said Trustees for estab¬ 
lishing the Colony of Georgia, any Act, law or statute to the contrary notwith¬ 
standing. 

“By order of the Upper House: 

“Patrick Houston. 

“By order of the Common House: 

“David Montaigut, Speaker. 

“Council Chamber, 24th September, 1759. 

“Assented to, Henry Ellis.” 


Head-Rights and Land Grants 


7 


This Head-Right territory, extending from Camden County to the 
south line of Wilkes County, was divided up during the Colonial 
period of Georgia, into parishes, viz.: Christ Church, St. Andrews, 
St. David, St. George, St. James, St. John, St. Mary, St. Patrick, 
St. Paul, St. Philip, and St. Thomas. After our independence the 
parishes were abolished and the territory divided up into counties. 

There was passed at Savannah on the 7th day of June, 1777, “An 
Act for opening a land office, and for the better settling and strength¬ 
ening this State.” Under this Act every free white person, or head 
of a family, was entitled to two hundred acres of land, and for every 
other white person of same family, fifty acres of land, and fifty 
acres for every negro owned by said family, not to exceed ten. 

This Act has been amended several times by the General Assem¬ 
bly, so any person, resident of the State, could head-right and have 
granted him, not exceeding one thousand acres of land (unless by 
special act of the Legislature). 

The bounties of the Revolutionary soldiers were paid for their 
services in this Head-Right territory; most of them in the counties 
of Washington and Franklin. 

An Act passed August 20th, 1781, entitled, “An Act to amend 
the several Acts for the better regulation of the militia of this State.” 
Section 8 reads as follows: “And, Whereas, numbers of persons are 
daily absenting themselves and leaving their fellow citizens to en¬ 
counter the difficulties of the present crisis, Be it enacted, etc., That 
any person or persons who shall produce a certificate from the 
commanding officer of the district to which he belongs, to the Legis¬ 
lature (on the total expulsion of the enemy from it), of his having 
steadfastly done his duty from the time of passing this Act, shall 
be entitled to two hundred and fifty acres of good land (which shall 
be exempt from taxes for the space of ten years thereafter) ; Pro¬ 
vided, such person or persons can not be convicted of plundering 
or distressing the country.” 

Also, “An Act for opening the land office, and for other purposes 
therein mentioned,” passed 17th of February, 1783. Section 2, “Be 
it therefore enacted, That in case any officer or soldier or other 
person, claiming under such engagements as aforesaid, shall pro¬ 
duce a certificate from his Honor the Governor, for the time being, 
that a tract of land is, or are due to him, that then such officer, 


History of Dodge County 


soldier or other person, shall be entitled to a warrant and grant 
for any unlocated lands (agreeable to the quantity contained in his 
certificate) within this State.” 

Section 15 (same Act), “All the officers and soldiers, all the of¬ 
ficers and marines of the navy, officers of the medical department, 
refugees and citizens who are entitled to land in this State as boun¬ 
ties for their service, in manner as above mentioned, shall be entitled 
to have included in their grants an additional quantity of fifteen 
acres to each hundred acres in full for and in lieu of any exemption 
of taxes. And every Act, and clause of an Act, allowing such 
exemption from taxation, shall be, and the same is hereby repealed, 
and declared null and void, anything to the contrary notwith¬ 
standing.” 

All soldiers were entitled to 250 acres of good land, free of taxes, 
for ten years. Under the above section he could have granted him 
15 per cent, more land, making 287)/2 acres, and commence to pay 
taxes on same. 

Section 2 of the Act of February 17th, 1783, was amended so all 
officers, soldiers, seamen, etc., could present their certificates of 
service from their commanding officer to the land court, at Augusta, 
Georgia, instead of to the Governor. Section 9 of an Act passed 
February 22, 1785, read as follows: “Be it therefore enacted by 
authority aforesaid, That in future, all and every person or persons 
whatsoever, who conceive himself and themselves entitled to a 
bounty, shall lay his or their vouchers or credentials before the 
said Land Court, where they apply for the same; on a full con¬ 
sideration of all circumstances respecting the petitioner, either 
grant or reject the application, as coming or not coming within the 
scope and intention of the several laws of this State for granting 
bounties, and as no surveys of land due as bounties from this State 
shall be allowed, unless brought in and claimed within one year 
from and after passing of this Act.” 

The above Act in regard to bounties was amended by subsequent 
legislation, relieving bounty warrants of being returned within the 
period of one year, but declaring bounty warrants never out of date. 

But an Act passed December 10th, 1818, entitled, “An Act to limit 
the time for persons to take out their grants in this State so far as 
relates to land surveyed on Head-Rights and bounty warrants.” 1 


Lottery Lands 


9 


Section 2 (of said Act) reads as follows: “The time hereafter to 
be allowed to persons who may hereafter have any land surveyed 
in this State, on Head-Right or bounty, shall be three years from the 
time of making such survey; and in case of failure or neglect to 
take out the grant, it shall revert and become the property of the 
State, and be subject to be surveyed and granted to any person or 
persons, who are hereby authorized to survey the same: Provided, 
nevertheless, that nothing herein contained shall be so construed as 
to operate against or prejudice the claim of any orphan or orphans.” 

This Head-Right territory of the State consists now of thirty-five 
counties, viz.: Bryan, Bulloch, Burke, Camden, Chatham, Clarke, 
Columbia, Effingham, Elbert, Emanuel, Franklin, Glascock, Glynn, 
Greene, Hancock, Hart, Jackson, Jefferson, Johnson, half of Laurens, 
Liberty, Lincoln, Madison, McDuffie, McIntosh, half of Montgomery, 
Oconee, Oglethorpe, Richmond, Screven, Taliaferro, Tattnall, War¬ 
ren, Washington and Wilkes. 

LOTTERY LANDS. 

There were five different lotteries of land authorized by the Gen¬ 
eral Assembly of the State, viz.: 1805, 1820, 1821, 1827 and 1831. 

All that territory of the State situated between the Oconee and 
Ocmulgee Rivers was first purchased from the Indians and disposed 
of by lottery in 1805. In this lottery every white man, widow and 
orphan, resident of this State, was entitled to one draw, and every 
Revolutionary soldier was entitled to two draws. This territory at 
the time of survey was covered by only two original counties— 
Baldwin and Wilkinson. 

It was divided into districts, and each district numbered, each 
district was subdivided into land lots, and each land lot numbered 
and contained 202^4 acres each, except fractional parts of lots 
occurring on the rivers. 

This territory is now divided up into thirteen different counties, 
viz.: Baldwin, part of Bibb, Dodge, Jasper, Jones, Laurens, half of 
Montgomery, Morgan, three-fourths of Pulaski, Putnam, Telfair, 
Twiggs and Wilkinson. 

All that territory of the State lying south of the Altamaha River 
to the Florida line and west of said river to the Chattahoochee River, 
after purchase from the Indians, was also divided into districts, and 


10 


History of Dodge County 


each district subdivided into land lots. The land lots of original 
Appling and Irwin contain 490 acres each, and land lots of original 
Early contain 250 acres each. These lands were disposed of by 
lottery in 1820. This territory was covered by only three original 
counties at the time of the survey and lottery, viz.: original Ap¬ 
pling, Early and Irwin—divided since into twenty-four counties, 
viz.: Appling, one-fourth of Charlton, Clinch, Coffee, Echols, 
Pierce, Ware, three-fourths Wayne, Berrien, Brooks, Colquitt, Irwin, 
Lowndes, one-half of Thomas, three-fourths of Wilcox, three-fourths 
of Worth, Baker, Calhoun, part of Clay, Decatur, Dougherty, Early, 
Mitchell and Miller. 

The land lots of original Gwinnett, Hall, Rabun and Walton, of 
2021/2 acres each, were also disposed of by lottery in 1820. 

All the territory of the State lying north of original Irwin ex¬ 
tending from the Ocmulgee River west to the Flint River, after pur¬ 
chase from the Indians, was laid out into districts, and each district 
sub-divided into land lots of 202% acres and disposed of by lottery 
in 1821. 

At the time of lottery this territory was covered by only five 
counties: original Dooly, Houston, Monroe, Henry and Fayette. 
Since that date it has been divided up into twenty-one different 
counties, viz.: Dooly, one-fourth of Pulaski, one-fourth Wilcox, 
one-half Worth, one-half Bibb, Crawford, Houston, one-fourth 
Macon, one-fourth Butts, Monroe, Pike, one-half Spalding, Upson, 
Clayton, DeKalb, Fayette, part of Fulton, Henry, Newton, Rockdale 
and Campbell Counties. 

All that territory of the State north of original Early County lying 
and being between the Flint and Chattahoochee Rivers, composing 
the five original counties of Lee, Muscogee, Troup, Coweta and Car- 
roll, after purchase from the Indians, was also divided into districts 
and each district subdivided into land lots of 202% acres and dis¬ 
posed of by lottery in 1827. This territory, since the lottery, has been 
divided up into twenty-two different counties, viz.: part Clay, Lee, 
part Macon, Quitman, Randolph, part Schley, Stewart, Sumter, 
Terrell, Webster, three-fourths Chattahoochee, part Harris, Marion, 
Muscogee, Talbot, Taylor, part Heard, Meriwether, Troup, Coweta, 
Carroll, part Douglas, and three-fourths Haralson Counties. 


Lottery Lands 


11 


The remaining territory of the State lying north of the Chatta¬ 
hoochee River, bounded on the west by the State of Alabama and 
north by the States of Tennessee and North Carolina, is known as 
the “Cherokee Purchase.” After purchase from the Cherokee tribe 
of Indians it was laid out into sections, numbers 1, 2, 3, 4. These 
sections were subdivided into districts, nine miles square, and each 
district subdivided into square land lots of forty, and one hundred 
and sixty acres each. At the time of survey the forty-acre lots were 
supposed to contain gold and are known as “gold lots.” The one 
hundred and sixty acre lots are known as “land lots.” 

The “Cherokee Purchase” is now covered by twenty-three different 
counties, viz.: Bartow, Catoosa, Chattooga, Cherokee, Cobb, Dade, 
Dawson, part Douglas, Floyd, Forsyth, Gilmer, Gordon, part Haral¬ 
son, Lumpkin, Milton, Murray, Paulding, Pickens, Polk, Towns, 
Union, Walker, and Whitfield Counties. 

Grants to a great many lots in the different lotteries were not 
taken out by the fortunate drawers, although the State extended the 
time by appropriate legislation several times, and the land lots 
finally reverted to the State by Acts of the General Assembly of 
Georgia. 

The lots were then sold to different parties and regranted. 

Philip Cook. 

Copied from “Historical Collections of the Joseph Habersham 
Chapter, D. A. R.,” Yol. 1, pages 303-309. 

NUMBER OF GEORGIA TROOPS ENLISTED, STATE AND 
CONTINENTAL, DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 

Following is a letter from Secretary Knox, of the United States 
War Department: 

Extract from “American State Papers, Military Affairs, 1st Con¬ 
gress, 2nd Session”; Vol. 1, pp. 14 to 19: 

“War Office of the United States, May 10, 1790. 

“In obedience to the order of the House of Representatives, the Secretary of 
War submits the statement hereunto annexed, of the troops and militia fur¬ 
nished from time to time, by the several States, toward the support of the late 
war. The numbers of the Regular Troops having been stated from the official 
returns, deposited in the War Office, may be depended on; and in all cases 
where the numbers of militia are stated from the returns, the same confidence 
may be observed. 


12 


History of Dodge County 


“But, in some years of the greatest exertions of the Southern States, there are 
no returns whatever of the militia employed. In this case, recourse has been 
had to the letters of the commanding officer, and to well-informed individuals, 
in order to form a proper estimate of the numbers of the militia in service, 
and although the accuracy of the estimate can not be relied on, yet it is the 
best information which the Secretary of War can at present obtain. 

“(Signed) H. Knox, Sec. of War” 


A statement of the number of non-commissioned officers and 
privates of the Regular Troops and militia furnished by the several 
States from time to time, for the support of the late war: 


Georgia. From actual army 
returns. 

1775 00 . 

1776 351 in Continental pay. 

1777 *1423 Continentals . 

1778 673 Continental troops. 

1779 87 men. 

1780 00 . 

1781 00 . 

1782 00 . 

1783 145 Continentals . 


Conjectural estimate of militia em¬ 
ployed in addition to preceding. 

I, 000 militia, to serve 9 months, 
j 750 militia. 

I I, 200 State troops. 

750 men. 

^2,000 militia, to serve 6 months. 

J 1,200 State troops. 

750 militia. 

750 militia. 

750 militia. 

750 militia. 


'By the resolve of the 15th of July, 1776, Georgia was authorized 
to raise in Virginia, North and South Carolina, two regiments of 
infantry, and also two companies of artillery, of fifty men each. 
These troops were chiefly enlisted for one year, and the time expired 
in 1777. 


The army in the Northern Department was discharged November 
5, 1783, and in the Southern States on November 15, 1783. 

(Signed) H. Knox, Sec. of War. 
Copied J. N. LeConte, 1911. 


INDIAN TROUBLES. 

For many years the pioneer settlers along the Ocmulgee River were 
constantly menaced by the Indians who occupied the west side of the 
river, as they would cross the river to pilfer and commit other 
depredations. 










Indian Troubles 


13 


During the British-American War of 1812-15, the Indians were 
incited against the whites by the British and it was necessary to keep 
a force of militia along the frontier from Fort Hawkins, opposite 
Macon, to Fort Barrington on the Altamaha, 15 miles above Darien, 
for the protection of the white settlers. This force was under com¬ 
mand of General David Blackshear, a native of North Carolina who 
had moved to Georgia after the close of the Revolutionary War and 
settled on the Oconee River, in Laurens County. 

In 1813, for the protection of the settlers, three forts were built 
in Telfair, one in the forks of the Ocmulgee and Oconee, and one 
two miles above Jacksonville where Block House Church and ceme¬ 
tery now stand, and the third probably on Horse Creek at the River 
Road. 

In a letter to Governor Mitchell dated at Oconee, August 13, 1813,. 
General Blackshear states that “three forts have been built in Telfair, 
90 feet square, with two block houses in each, inclosed by a stockade 
8 feet above ground and manned by 1 subaltern, a corporal and 15 
privates to each fort.” He states further that Telfair was thinly 
inhabited and the men called out were from frontier counties. 

Governor Early, having received information that the Indian 
frontier of Pulaski, Twiggs and Telfair Counties was menaced by¬ 
depredations by hostile Indians, on September 14, 1814, instructed 
General Blackshear to “send some prudent and judicious officer 
with a patrol of 20 privates armed with guns to explore the country 
between the Ocmulgee and Flint Rivers.” 

These frontier troubles continued at frequent intervals until the 
Indians were removed from this section. The last fight of note 
between the whites and Indians occurred on March 9, 1818, near 
where Bowen’s Mill now stands, in Ben Hill County, on the Indian 
side of the river, opposite Temperance Post Office, in which a num¬ 
ber on both sides were killed and wounded. Lieutenant Colonel 
Richard H. Thomas in a letter to Governor Talbot dated at Hart¬ 
ford, March 10, 1818, gives the following account of this fight: “I 
have received information through Isham Jordan, of Telfair County, 
of a skirmish between Indians and citizens of Telfair County on the 
south side of the Ocmulgee River on the afternoon of March the 
9th, 25 miles below Hartford. On the night of March the 3rd Joseph 
Burch and his son, Littleton, were fired upon by a party of Indians,, 


14 


History of Dodge County 


the father killed and the son severely wounded and scalped, but so 
far recovered as to be able to reach home two days later. Thirty- 
six citizens (of Telfair) assembled on March the 9th and crossed 
over to seek redress. Some distance from the river they discovered 
a party of 50 or 60 Indians advancing within gun shot. Firing 
commenced by each party and was warmly kept up three-fourths of 
an hour. A party of the detachment effected their retreat, bringing 
off one badly wounded. Four were certainly killed. The balance 
of the detachment has not been heard from. Major Cathron, in 
command of the Telfair militia, was among the missing. Four 
Indians were killed. Citizens of Telfair are much alarmed and are 
leaving their homes.” 

In consequence of the foregoing the Pulaski troop of cavalry was 
ordered out by the Governor to scout the frontier and afford pro¬ 
tection to the inhabitants. 

Mitchell Griffin, State Senator from Telfair, and Mike Burch were 
among the killed, and Mark Willcox was severely wounded in this 
fight. 

On March 3, 1818, Joseph Burch and his son were at work build¬ 
ing a house on the west side of the river near where Bowen’s Mill is 
now located, when a party of hostile Indians fired on them, killing 
the father and severely wounding the son. Thinking the son dead 
they scalped him, but he revived and two days later was able to 
reach the house of John Willcox, near where the Temperance Post 
Office is now located in Telfair, and was cared for by Mr. Willcox 
and his family. It was the shooting of Burch and his son by Indians 
that caused the fight of March 9, as related. 

After the organization and settlement of Irwin County about 1819, 
trouble with the Indians along the Ocmulgee River ceased, but for 
many years after the hostile Indians were removed from south Geor¬ 
gia there were small bands of friendly Indians who roamed about 
the county. It is said that the Indians had peculiar methods of 
approaching a house, seldom being discovered until they announced 
themselves at the door. Their visits were usually for the purpose 
of exchanging game for ammunition, tools or other articles needed 
by them, and as soon as the bartering was over, they departed as 
quietly as they had arrived. 


Treaties With Indians 


15 


TREATIES WITH THE INDIANS. 

Treaties were made in 1802-1804 and 1805 by which all the lands 
east of the Ocmulgee River were ceded by the Creek Indians to 
Georgia. This land was distributed by lottery to the citizens of 
Georgia, and is now included in the counties of Morgan, Jasper, 
Putnam, Telfair, Laurens, Wayne, Wilkinson, Twiggs, Pulaski, Bald¬ 
win, Bleckley and Dodge. 

The first purchase was made in 1802 and the first drawing was 
had in 1803, and out of this was formed three counties, Baldwin, 
Wilkinson and Wayne. The country was rapidly peopled by those 
who drew the lots, or to whom they were sold. The people from 
the eastern counties came in droves to this new country. The upper 
part of the country was a section of great beauty and attracted a 
great many settlers from the older counties. Many Virginians also 
came into this new country. 

Wilkinson County. 

Wilkinson County was organized out of a part of the land ac¬ 
quired from the Creek Indians, under the treaty at Fort Wilkinson, 
in 1802, and was laid out in 1803. It was named for General James 
Wilkinson of Revolutionary fame, one of the commissioners on the 
part of the United States to treat with the Creek Indians. 

Telfair County. 

Telfair County was formed from Wilkinson County in 1807, and 
was named for Governor Edward Telfair of Georgia. 

Laurens County. 

Laurens County was also laid off from part of Wilkinson County 
in 1807, and was named for Col. James Laurens. 

Pulaski County. 

Pulaski County was formed from Laurens County in 1808. As 
first laid out, Pulaski was all on the east side of the Ocmulgee 
River. After 1820, when the new lands west of the river were 
opened to settlement, a considerable body south of what is now 
Houston was placed in Pulaski. It was named Pulaski in honor of 


History of Dodge County 


16 

Count Casimir Pulaski, the gallant Polish nobleman who fell at the 
siege of Savannah. 

On January the 8th, 1821, at Indian Springs, Georgia, a treaty 
was made with the Creeks by the United States Government, under 
which the remaining lands between the Flint and Ocmulgee Rivers, 
as far north as the Chattahoochee, were acquired by the State of 
Georgia, excepting one hundred acres around the springs, 640 acres 
on the Ocmulgee River, including the improvements of McIntosh, 
and a tract of land around the agency, to be retained by the United 
States Government while such agency continued. The witnesses to 
the treaty were as follows: Daniel M. Forney of South Carolina; 
David Meriwether of Georgia; United Slates Commissioners J. Mc¬ 
Intosh, David Adams; and Daniel Newman, Commissioner for Geor¬ 
gia; and a number of Indian chiefs, head-men and warriors. From 
the lands acquired at this time five large counties were immediately 
formed, viz.: Dooly, Fayette, Henry, Houston and Monroe, each of 
which was in time subdivided. 

Indian Springs was inhabited by the Indians, its waters having 
long been noted by the Indians for their medicinal qualities, and in 
1823 General William McIntosh, noted Indian chief, erected what 
was then a magnificent hotel. Fine specimens of hand carving, the 
work of Gen. McIntosh, adorned the doors and mantels of this 
spacious hostelry. Here Gen. McIntosh spent the greater part of 
his time. After his death the property fell into the hands of the 
Varner family, and finally came into possession of Miss Joe Varner, 
who for many years conducted the hotel as the Varner House, and 
it has long been one of the leading hotels at the springs. It stands 
in good preservation at this time. 

In 1825 the State secured possession of that section between the 
Flint and Chattahoochee. It was the signing of this treaty that cost 
the life of General McIntosh. His warm friendship for the people 
of Georgia had been evinced in more than one crisis of affairs. With 
the clear foresight of a statesman, he realized only too well how 
the bitter warfare between the two races in Georgia was to end, 
consequently he urged upon his people the course which was finally 
adopted. It not only meant peace, but it meant an exchange of 
land, in fair equivalent, acre for acre, with an additional four hun¬ 
dred thousand dollars. Besides, it meant the avoidance of unneces- 


Treaties With Indians 


17 


sary bloodshed; and the new home west of the Mississippi River 
was to be an undisturbed possession. The Lower Creeks listened to 
the arguments of McIntosh, but the Upper Creeks, who resided 
chiefly in Alabama, were opposed to the treaty. They looked upon 
General McIntosh as a traitor to their nation, who was in criminal 
league with the whites. But on February 12, 1825, occurred the 
final deliberations which resulted in the formal relinquishment of 
the Georgia lands by the Creek Indians. 

For this act General McIntosh was brutally murdered by a band 
of enraged Indians. They went to his house, in what is now Carroll 
County, and at about three o’clock in the morning of April the 30th, 
1825, set fire to it. They shot him and another Indian and dragged 
them out and scalped them. The scalp of McIntosh was suspended 
on a pole in a public square of Ocfuskee. They also killed his 
son-in-law, Hawkins. 

On the well-known rock near the Varner House, which marks the 
site of the famous compact of agreement, the members of Piedmont 
Continental Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, erected 
a tablet of bronze which bears the following inscription: 

“Here on February 12, 1825, William McIntosh, a chief of the 
Creek Nation, signed the treaty which ceded to the State of Georgia 
all the Creek lands west of the Flint River. For this act he was 
savagely murdered by a band of Indians who opposed the treaty. 
Placed by the Piedmont Continental Chapter of the D. A. R., A. D. 
1911.” 

In 1827 the Creeks ceded the last acre of land held by them and 
withdrew from the State. By successive agreements they had sur¬ 
rendered first one part of the country and then another, until, after 
nearly one hundred years had passed since Oglethorpe made his 
first treaty with them, they were entirely removed from the present 
territory of the State. 


THE PIONEERS. 


A FTER the treaty of 1827 whereby the Creek Indians ceded the 
last acre held by them to the State and departed for the west, 
new settlers began coming into this section rapidly. They came 
from other counties in the State and from other states, many coming 
from the Carolinas and Virginia. Many of them were of Scotch 
descent, and were good, sturdy citizens. The Indians were gone and 
they had nothing to fear. The soil was fertile and well adapted to 
the growing of cotton, corn, potatoes, grain, sugar cane, and in 
fact all crops that could be raised in almost any part of the United 
States. New farms were rapidly developed as the settlers came in 
and cleared the land of the timber. Their homes were erected of 
the pine logs cut from the lands as farms were cleared for cultiva¬ 
tion. The houses were generally built on what was then called the 
“double pen” style, having two large rooms with a wide open hall 
running between the two rooms. There were usually shed rooms to 
the back of these two rooms. Later, as they became more pros¬ 
perous, larger homes were erected, usually on the same style except 
with a stairway leading to the attic where bedrooms were fitted up. 
The kitchen and dining room were always built from 40 to 60 feet 
to the rear of the main house, this having been done as a precau¬ 
tionary measure against fire. In some instances a plank walk was 
built to connect the kitchen with the main house. The buildings 
were covered with boards riven from pine and cypress timbers cut 
from the land, the instrument used for cutting the boards being 
called a “frow,” and the life of these boards was many times the 
life of the shingles used today for covering buildings. 

These pioneers were intelligent, enterprising and thrifty in those 
days when they were forced to rely on their own genius and labor 
for subsistence. From sheer necessity they became skilled in me¬ 
chanical works, producing practically everything upon which they 
subsisted, including food, raiment, wagons, carts, agricultural im¬ 
plements, harness, saddles, etc. Before the days of steam navigation 
on the Ocmulgee, when goods had to be freighted up the river on 
pole boats, the cost of all manufactured articles was excessive, neces¬ 
sitating rigid economy, forcing the people to produce at home by 
their own skill and labor practically all the necessaries of life. 
Every family had its hand loom and spinning wheel and the clothing 


The Pioneers 


19 


of the family and of the slaves was spun, woven and made up at 
home. Both the rich and poor had their looms and many of the 
wealthiest ladies were expert weavers of fine cloths from cotton and 
wool. Plows, plow stocks, gear, chairs, bedsteads, tables and other 
household furniture were made at home. There were no cook stoves 
then in this section and the cooking was done in broad open fire¬ 
places in pots, ovens and spiders. A crane was suspended in front 
of the fire which held the main pot in which the vegetables were 
boiled, while on the hearth coals were placed under and on top of 
the ovens and spiders in which bread was baked. 

There were tanneries in the county and shoes were made at home; 
there were also hatters who made wool hats, and gunsmiths who 
made fine rifles. There were blacksmiths who made axes, jack 
planes, augers, chisels, hoes, etc. 

There were no cotton gins at that time, and the seeds had to be 
picked from the cotton by hand, a very slow process. After the 
invention of the cotton gin by Eli Whitney, the cotton production 
picked up, and it is now the principal product of this section. 

The pioneers had none of the comforts and luxuries that we of 
the present age enjoy. Even matches were unknown at that time. 
Their method for starting a fire was by striking a piece of steel 
against a flint rock which produced a spark of fire and this ignited 
some dry trash or cotton which had been prepared for the purpose. 
This trash and cotton were kept carefully stored in a tin box which 
was called the “tinder box,” and was always kept in a dry and con¬ 
venient place. They had no kerosene lamps, and tallow or beeswax 
candles, which were made at home, were used for lighting purposes. 
These candles were made by twisting several twines of cotton string 
together, and then dipping them into melted tallow or beeswax, the 
twine forming the wick. 

The firearms of pioneer days were fired in a similar manner to 
the method of starting fires. The percussion cap used at present 
had not then been invented, and each gun or pistol was made with 
an arrangement for holding a flint rock. The hammer of the gun 
striking this steel would cause a spark which would ignite the 
powder, causing the gun to fire. The guns and pistols were desig¬ 
nated as flint and steel firearms. They were loaded in the following 
manner: a certain amount of powder was first placed in the barrel 


20 


History of Dodge County 


of the gun, after which a wad of paper or cloth was placed in the 
barrel and rammed down the barrel of the gun with a long stick 
which was called a “ramrod”; a certain number of shot were then 
placed in the barrel, which was followed by another wad of paper 
or cloth and rammed down in a similar manner with the “ramrod.” 
The paper or cloth used was called “gun wadding.” It was neces¬ 
sary to always keep the gun powder dry, and each person who 
owned a gun had what he called a “powder horn,” or “powder 
gourd.” These horns were obtained from the heads of cows, and 
were prepared for use by stopping up the large end of the horn and 
boring a small hole in the tip or small end, which was kept closed 
by a peg or stopper. This made it impossible for water to come in 
contact with the powder. These horns were usually carried by a 
string attached to each end of the horn, and thrown across the 
shoulder, allowing the horn to swing at his side. Attached to each 
horn was a small cup or measure which was used to measure the 
amount of powder and shot forming each load. This cup or measure 
was called “the charger.” 

The mode of travel in those days was generally a two-wheel cart 
drawn by a yoke of oxen or a mule or horse. When drawn by a 
horse or mule, the family was placed inside the cart or wagon, as 
the case was, and the man of the family rode the mule. The reason 
for the popularity of the two-wheel cart was due to the poor condi¬ 
tion of the roads which were nothing more than trails, making it 
much easier to travel on two wheels than on four. 

Log Rollings and Quiltings. 

The pioneers had different methods for getting the heavy logs or 
timber moved from their land to make it ready for cultivation, one 
of which was called the annual “log rolling,” to which all the neigh¬ 
bors for miles around were invited to attend, each of them bringing 
along his “hand stick,” this being a hickory stick about six feet long 
and about three inches in diameter in the center and tapering 
towards each end. These were placed under the log about two or 
three feet apart and a sufficient number of men would take hold of 
the hand sticks to carry the log to what was called the “log heap.” 
These log heaps were where any number of logs were piled together 
and when so piled were burned. Every man felt it his duty to go 


The Pioneers 


21 


to his neighbor’s log rolling when invited, as a great many acres of 
land could be cleared of the logs in one day. On these occasions 
it was the custom of the housewife to have several quilts prepared 
to be quilted, and the wives and daughters of the men invited to the 
log rolling were invited to her quilting. While the men rolled the 
logs from the land, the women spent the day quilting. It was cus¬ 
tomary on these occasions for the host and hostess to have an 
immense spread at the noon hour, consisting principally of collard 
greens, chicken pie, potato pie, home-made ham boiled and fried, 
together with corn bread, biscuits and other things. The corn bread 
was made from home-ground meal and the biscuits from home- 
ground wheat. At night there was another bountiful spread and 
then the guests retired to one of the large rooms in the dwelling and 
spent the night dancing, the dances then being the old-time square 
dance, the Virginia reel, and the minuet. The music was usually 
furnished by three negro men from the plantation, one playing the 
banjo, another the fiddle (violin), and the third “beating the 
straws.” The favorite tunes were the Arkansas Traveler, Turkey In 
the Straw, Chicken In the Bread Tray, etc. 

A Corn Shucking. 

Another custom of ye olden times was the neighborhood “corn 
shucking.” When a farmer gathered his corn he would pile it down 
beside his crib, and on a certain night would invite all the men of 
the neighborhood in to assist him in shucking his corn. They would 
form a line around the pile of corn on their knees and begin shuck¬ 
ing the corn and throwing it into the crib, two or three logs having 
been removed from the side of the crib near the top making an 
opening so that the corn could easily be thrown into the crib. No 
one who has never attended one of these corn shuckings can imagine 
the enthusiasm and excitement that was engendered as each man 
would try to shuck and throw more ears into the crib than the man 
next to him. Frequently several hundred bushels were shucked in 
one night. The negroes were placed at one end of the pile and 
the whites at the other, and in most instances it was customary for 
the gallon jug of corn whiskey to be passed down the line at certain 
intervals and each man given an opportunity to take a drink. It 
was seldom that any one present ever refused, however it was also 


22 


History of Dodge County 


seldom that any one ever became intoxicated at one of these affairs. 
After the corn was shucked the guests were invited into the dining 
room to partake of a sumptuous feast prepared by the housewife. 
After the meal it was the custom to build a big log fire in the back 
yard where the negroes would wrestle and box until daylight, the 
whites sometimes taking part in these bouts. These occasions were 
as much pleasure to the pioneers as the modern dances and prize 
fights are to the present generation. 

Hardships of the Pioneers. 

From letters written by General Blackshear and other military of¬ 
ficers to the Governor of the State during the period of the British- 
American War of 1812-15, it would appear that the necessities of 
life, especially mechanical tools, clothing and food supplies, were 
exceedingly scarce in this section of the country, and the few in¬ 
habitants suffered many hardships. 

In letters to Governor Early, dated at Camp Blakely (Hartford), 
December 23-28, 1814, General Blackshear complains of the worth¬ 
lessness of tools furnished by the Quartermaster Department, stat¬ 
ing that the “axes were made of iron, the screw augers were not 
worth a cent, that the army had no soap, no spirits, no candles; 
nor is there any component parts of a ration except flour, meat and 
salt and no contractor to apply to.” Wilson Navey, foragemaster 
for General Blackshear, wrote from Hartford January 1, 1815, that 
the people were extravagant in their prices of corn, (75 cents per 
bushel), and that it had to be hauled ten to twelve miles. 

Writing to Governor Early from Camp Little Ocmulgee (Lumber 
City) January 27, 1815, General Blackshear states that he would be 
detained there a day in crossing the river and that it would be the 
last letter he would write for some time as he was “out of paper.” 
There were no stores in the country at that early date and the 
people, as well as the army, were forced to do without luxuries and 
most of the ordinary necessities of life. 

NAVIGATION ON THE OCMULGEE IN PIONEER DAYS. 

In the pioneer days the only means the people had of transporting 
their products to market, and obtaining supplies that could not be 
provided at home, was by pole boats on the Ocmulgee and Altamaha 


The Pioneers 


23 


Rivers to Darien, thence by sail to the markets, or by wagon. Boats 
were built in the county, loaded with cotton and other farm prod¬ 
ucts, drifted down the river to Darien, where the cargoes were 
transferred to sailing vessels for Savannah and other ports. The 
boats were then loaded at Darien with cargoes of general merchan¬ 
dise brought by sail from Savannah, Charleston and New York, and 
polled up the river by hand, requiring several weeks to make a trip. 
In times of high water it was often necessary to use a rope and 
windlass to pull the boats up the swift current at certain narrow 
places in the river, so it can be readily understood that the up trip 
of a pole boat was slow and tedious, requiring much hard and 
patient labor. In those days the freight on many kinds of goods 
was more than the prime cost. 

There may be many of the old people who remember when the 
Ocmulgee and Altamaha Rivers were navigated between Macon and 
Darien with many pole boats, which was then the only means of 
transportation Macon had for shipping off cotton and other freight, 
and for obtaining freight from abroad; sailing vessels would bring 
it to Darien where it would be transferred to the pole boats for 
Macon. There were many of these boats, and though Hartford and 
Jacksonville were the only towns near the river, and no other habi¬ 
tations could be seen along the river on either side, yet it was lively 
times with the many boat hands all along the sinuous river. 

Drifting Signs. 

While drifting down the pilots on the boats, where the river was 
very crooked, would every minute or two command those working 
the front oars, “Bow to the Injun,” and then “Bow to the white.” 
These commands of seeming politeness meant that the pilot would 
sometimes wish the bow of the boat turned towards the side of the 
river occupied by the Indians, or to the side settled by the white 
people, so to signify in which direction the boat was to be turned 
the command was, “Bow Injun” and “Bow white.” This old slogan 
was continued in use for many years, and is still used by raft hands 
in drifting rafts of lumber down the river to Darien. The Indians 
claimed all the land and the game on it between the right bank of 
the river and the farthermost point of Florida. 


24 


History of Dodge County 


Mr. Luke Harrell, who has spent practically all his life near the 
banks of the Ocmulgee River, says that Mr. Norman Statham, who 
is about 104 years old and who resides in Wilcox County, was a 
pilot on one of these pole boats. Mr. Harrell worked with Mr. 
Statham many years in rafting timber down the river to Darien, and 
it was on these trips that he learned much of the early history of 
navigation from Mr. Statham. He is author for the statement that 
when General Blackshear cut the road from Hartford to Darien that 
he also placed spiked timbers across the river so that in the event 
the enemy’s gun boats tried to come up the river they would be 
spiked and sunk. Mr. Harrell says that he saw some of these spiked 
timbers in the river near Doctortown in his early years and was told 
by Mr. Statham that they were the ones used by Gen. Blackshear. 

Mr. Harrell further states that many years ago when Germany 
went to build a large fort that they bought the timber in Dodge 
County from Mr. Jack Daniel and Mr. James Bishop, Sr., the con¬ 
tract having been let through Mr. Statham. The timber bought was 
100 pieces of hewn timber, size 100 feet long to square 27 inches in 
the middle. It took 20 oxen (10 yokes) to pull each piece of timber 
through the swamp, and about thirty hands, negroes and whites, to 
lift each stick. This timber was floated down the river to Darien 
where it was delivered to the sailing vessel bound for Germany. 


THE ACT CREATING DODGE COUNTY. 

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED, etc. That there shall be a new 
county laid out and formed of the thirteenth (13th), fourteenth 
(14th), fifteenth (15th), sixteenth (16th), nineteenth (19th), and 
twentieth (20th), land districts of originally Wilkinson County, 
(except that portion of said land districts numbered thirteen (13), 
sixteen (16), and nineteen (19), which now lie in and constitute a 
part of Laurens County), now forming parts of the counties of 
Pulaski, Telfair and Montgomery; that said new county shall be 
called the county of Dodge, and shall be attached to the Southern 
Judicial Circuit, to the Second Congressional District, and the Four¬ 
teenth Senatorial District. 

Section 2. BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the county-site of 
said new county shall be at a station on the Macon and Brunswick 
Railroad, called Eastman, the same being station No. 13 on said 
railroad. 

Section 3. BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the voters of said 
new county, entitled under the Constitution and laws of this State 
to vote for members of the General Assembly, shall assemble at 
Eastman, the county-site aforesaid, and proceed, pursuant to the 
election laws now in force, to elect all county officers necessary for 
the organization of said new county, pursuant to the Constitution 
and laws of this State, and it shall be the duty of the managers of 
said election to certify the same, and the result thereof, to the 
Governor of this State, and it shall be the duty of the Governor 
forthwith to commission the county officers so certified to be elected, 
and to authorize by dedimus to him, any Justice of the Peace or 
Notary Public, resident within the limits of said new county, to 
qualify the said county officers, according to the Constitution and 
laws of this State; said county officers so elected and qualified shall 
hold their offices for the term prescribed by law; said election shall 
be held on Wednesday after the first Monday in January, 1871. 

Section 4. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That all mesne 
and final process, in the hands of any of the officers of the several 
counties from which the said new county by the residence of the 
defendant, or the location of land where land is the subject-matter 


26 


History of Dodge County 


of suit therein, shall be delivered over to the corresponding officer 
of said new county, and all suits, declarations and pleadings, of all 
kinds of property appertaining to said new county, for the reasons 
aforesaid, shall be transferred from the courts of the counties where 
now pending to the corresponding courts of the new county; and 
the officers charged with the administration and execution of the 
law, in said new county, shall proceed with said suits, and said 
mesne and final process, as if the same had been commenced in said 
new county. 

Section 5. BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the Superior 
Court of said county of Dodge shall be held on Friday after the 
second Monday in April and October in each year, and the Court 
of Ordinary on the first Monday in each month. 

Section 6. BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the Ordinary, 
Sheriff, and other officers of said county, shall be required to give 
such bonds and security as the laws of this State prescribe. 

Section 7. BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the executors, ad¬ 
ministrators, guardians, etc., residing in said new county be, and 
they are hereby, authorized and required to make their returns to 
the Ordinary of said new county. 

Section 8. BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That until the official 
machinery of said new county be put in operation by the election, 
commission and qualification of the officers hereinbefore provided 
for, the proper officers of the county from which the new county is 
taken, or any of them, be, and they are hereby empowered with full 
authority to copy, direct and serve process and judicial writs of all 
sorts within the said new county; and all officers resident within the 
limits of said new county shall exercise all their powers and func¬ 
tions of office until the officers of the new county are elected and 
qualified. 

Section 9. BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That all laws incon¬ 
sistent with this act are hereby repealed. 

Approved October 26, 1870. 


The New County 


27 


THE NEW COUNTY. 

“Some time ago, I cant say when. 

It was done by wise and solemn men. 

Old generous Laurens gave a nook, 

Some from Pulaski we took; 

Montgomery had a little to spare , 

The rest was furnished by Telfair, 

To make the County of Dodge” 

The above verse was written by Mr. H. W. J. Ham and appeared in 
the Eastman Times in 1873. It shows from whence came the County 
of Dodge, except as regards Laurens. Laurens gave a portion to 
form Pulaski, which in turn contributed quite a bit for the forma¬ 
tion of Dodge. 

Dodge County was created by an Act of the General Assembly on 
October 26, 1870. It was named in honor of William E. Dodge, 
who had come to this section prior to its creation. Mr. Dodge came 
from New York and purchased a large estate, which later caused 
much strife and bloodshed. This estate embraced most of what is 
now Dodge, Laurens, Pulaski, Telfair and Montgomery Counties, 
and reached from the Oconee to the Ocmulgee River. When the 
new county was created the population was very scattering and 
often neighbors lived miles apart. It is said that one could travel 
from the Oconee River to the Ocmulgee and never see a living thing. 
This section was a vast forest of virgin pine timber, conceded to be 
the finest yellow pine in the world. Lumbermen and capitalists 
from the north and east began coming in rapidly, buying up the 
timbered lands and erecting saw mills. Among the capitalists who 
came were William E. Dodge of New York and William Pitt East¬ 
man of New Hampshire, who located at this point. 

In 1869 the Macon and Brunswick railroad (now the Southern) 
was built. Towns began to spring up all along the line, and, as 
this immediate section was so far removed from the county seat, 
Hawkinsville, it was deemed expedient to create a new county and 
place the county seat at this point. Mr. Eastman generously donated 
the land for the new town and county seat, Eastman, and also do¬ 
nated the land for the court house. Mr. Dodge, in whose honor the 
new county was named, expressed his appreciation of the honor 
conferred upon him by having built at his own expense what was 


28 


History of Dodge County 


then a magnificent court house and presented it to the citizens of 
the county. It was erected where the present court house now 
stands, and was a two-story frame structure which cost about $25,- 
000.00. It was used as a court house until 1908, when it was torn 
away for the erection of a more spacious and magnificent edifice. 

J. R. Alexander was the first Superior Court Judge. The first 
Jury Commissioners were: J. L. Lampkin, J. A. Harrell, Ira R. 
Foster, J. W. Harrell, J. M. Buchan, J. S. Livingston, Loyd Smith, 

H. B. Maloy, L. L. Hargrove, G. W. Walker, J. J. Baker, Daniel 
Williams, B. H. Harrell, S. C. Nicholson, Harlow Clark, I. N. 
Bowen, John McCranie, Daniel McCranie, J. J. Hanley, F. A. Howell, 

I. N. Mitchell. 

First Bailiff was M. S. Peters. 

The first case filed was that of Peter J. Williams et al., vs. John 
Rogers, tenant in possession (ejectment case). Counsel for plaintiff 
in case, Nesbit, Bacon, Hines, Dawson, Rivers. Counsel for defend¬ 
ant, L. A. Hall, Stanley and Watson. 

The minutes show that the first case contested was that of John G. 
Lidy vs. Jan A. McGriff, lien on a steam saw mill. Judgment was 
rendered in favor of plaintiff. J. Watson was attorney for plaintiff. 

The first officers of the county of Dodge were: Sheriff, Jordan 
Brown; Clerk of the Court, Ruben A. Harrell; Tax Collector, T. P. 
Willcox; Tax Receiver, Jno. W. Bohannon; Ordinary, S. W. Burch. 

The first Postmaster of the new town of Eastman was Dr. J. M. 
Buchan, who later represented Dodge County in the Legislature. 

At the time of its creation there were only 334 voters in the 
county. There were 490 children in the county between the ages 
of six and eighteen years of age. 

Among the first citizens of the new county were: J. M. Arthur, 
Judge C. B. Murrell, L. M. Peacock, Sr., Mrs. L. M. Peacock, Sr., 
Judge D. M. Roberts, Mrs. D. M. Roberts, Mrs. Lizzie Daniel, mother 
of Messrs. M. J. W. and W. B. Daniel, Harlow Clark, J. W. Griffin, 
L. L. Hargrove, James Bishop, Sr., John M. Daniel, H. J. Sapp, 
Peter Bowen, J. W. Coffee, David Cravey, John McLeod, Alan Mc¬ 
Leod, Sr., Josiah Reaves, John Reaves, Phillip Reaves, Josiah 
Reaves, Jr., Susan Taylor, Hiram Taylor, William Taylor, Job 
Lester, Daniel Lester, Nick Rawlins, John C. Rawlins, Edward Tripp, 
Berry Tripp, W. W. Harrell, Col. John F. DeLacy, William Pitt 


The New County 


29 


Eastman, Maj. C. R. Armstrong, Dr. Harris Fisher, H. W. J. Ham, 
one of the first lawyers in the county, Isaac Herrman, Matthew 
Clark, R. F. Burch, Sr. 

Among the largest families of the county are the Harrells, the 
Burch family, Colemans, Peacocks and Rawlins. 

The founder, no doubt, of the Coleman family was W. A. Cole¬ 
man, who married Priscilla Wright. To this union eleven children 
were born, whose names are as follows: William C., Sabrey Caro¬ 
line, Roxie Rebecca, Mary J., Nancy J., W. H., B. T., J. A., G. R. L., 
Mary Elizabeth and Joel F., who was Ordinary of the county for 
sixteen years. 

Another large family is the Rawlins family. Mr. Nicholas Raw¬ 
lins is the head of this large family. He was married to Miss Rosa 
J. Grimsley. To this union nine children were born: J. T., J. C., 
A. M., G. W., C. W., Betty and Marshall. Joseph Rawlins died at 
the age of 18 years and Sam at the age of 23. 

Dr. Harris Fisher was also one of the older citizens of the county, 
and was engaged here for a number of years in the practice of 
medicine. Dr. Fisher was the organizer of the first fair this county 
ever held, and for a number of years made it a success. 

Among the first industries in the new county was the saw mill 
owned by Mr. Ira Foster and located to the rear of where the 
DeLietch Hotel stood until destroyed by fire a few years ago. About 
this time a shingle mill, run under the name of Sumner, Mullin and 
Hill, was in operation on the spot where the residence of Mrs. 
Nannie Harrell now stands. Hammond and Coleman ran the first 
turpentine still. Hammond was a genuine Quaker, one of the very 
few who ever came down this far. 

In 1881, about a mile below where the city of Eastman now stands, 
the Amoskeag Lumber Co. placed a saw mill. This was a million 
dollar concern and the mill was one of the largest ever operated in 
Georgia. The officers of the company were: President, E. C. Bacon; 
Secretary and Treasurer, Dr. E. H. Bacon. Dr. Bacon was a high- 
toned Christian gentleman of the Old Southern School, who re¬ 
sided in Eastman until his death a few years ago. J. T. Colcord was 
general manager. Another member of this firm was Martin T. 
Amorous, who later became a citizen of Atlanta. This company 
bought the timber rights to several thousand acres of land and op- 


30 


History of Dodge County 


erated here a number of years. The old residence and commissary 
of the general manager still stand at Amoskeag. 

The Empire Lumber Company placed a large saw mill where the 
city of Empire now stands in 1886. John W. Hightower was the 
president of this company, and Empire was the first town anywhere 
in this section to have electric lights. A plant owned by the lumber 
company was used for this purpose. This company also built the 
old Oconee and Western railroad, now known as the W. & T., as 
far as Dublin. Chester and Younker soon sprang up after the 
building of this road and are now thriving little towns on the 
northern side of the county. 

The Seaboard Airline Railroad was built through Dodge County 
in 1888. Immediately the turpentine and lumber camps of Milan 
and Rhine began to flourish and today they are splendid business 
towns in a rich agricultural section. 

Militia Districts. 

When the county was created there were only five militia districts, 
viz.: Rawlins (317), Pondtown (339), Lees (349), Mitchells (364), 
and Eddins (384), but other districts have been created from time 
to time until at present there are in the county fifteen districts, the 
ten additional being Clarks (1438), Chauncey (1254), Jones 
(1454), Empire (1455), Mullis (1456), Yilula (1702), Plainfield 
(1709), Younkers (1674), Milan (1751), and McCranies (1821). 

In each militia district there is a Justice of the Peace and also a 
Notary Public and Ex Officio J. P. The former is elected by a vote 
of the people of the district and the latter is appointed by the Grand 
Jury of the county. The county is divided into six land districts, 
viz.: the 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 19th and 20th. Each lot of land 
contains 202% acres. 

Soil. 

Dodge County is located in one of the richest agricultural sec¬ 
tions in the State, lying as it does between the hills of north Georgia 
and the flat lands of south Georgia, making it just rolling enough 
to be well drained. From the Ocmulgee on one side extending al¬ 
most to the Oconee on the other side, a territory of 495 square miles, 
are to be found some of the finest farms in the State. The soil is 
principally red pebbly soil together with dark loamy soil in some 
sections of the county. 


The New County 


31 



Crops. 

The principal crops grown are cotton, corn, peas, peanuts, sweet 
potatoes, sugar cane, with a small acreage usually planted in wheat 
and tobacco. The soil is also well adapted to the growing of pecans, 
which has become a very profitable industry in this section. The 
county has ranked about fifth the past several years in the number 
of bales of cotton produced, and has far surpassed many counties 
of a much larger acreage. In the year 1930 the ginning report 
showed that Dodge County had ginned 24,956 bales. 

Streams. 

The county is watered by many streams which run the entire 
length of the county, the largest of these being Gum Swamp Creek, 
which rises in the northern part of Bleckley County and forms the 


DODGE COUNTY STOCKADE. 

Built in 1929, by W. D. McCranie, County Commissioner. 

Little Ocmulgee River in Telfair County. It is also traversed by 
Alligator Creek, Sugar Creek and Mosquito Creek. All of these 
streams abound with fish, the principal species being trout, white 
perch, warmouth perch, bream, pike and channel cat. 

Climate. 

The climate is ideal, being far enough south to miss the winter 






32 


History of Dodge County 


snows (snow being seldom seen in this section), and far enough 
north to miss the extreme heat, although near enough the coast to 
he fanned by the ocean breezes the entire summer. 

THE FIRST SETTLERS IN THE NEW COUNTY IN 1870. 

The first settlers in the new county the year it was created, 1870, 
are given as nearly correct as the writer was able to ascertain, and 
are as follows: 

Armstrong, Charles R.; Anderson, Robert F. 

Bohannon, John W.; Burch, William; Bowen, David W.; Brown, James; 
Brown, Jordan; Bowen Isaac N.; Braswell, Gadi W.; Braswell, James K. P.; 
Brown, Andrew C.; Brown, Lovard; Burnham, Mile A.; Brown, Jesse; Bryan, 
Jos. D.; Bussey, William K.; Burch, John H.; Burch, Charles, Sr.; Berryhill, 
William H.; Bowen, Jeremiah; Brown, Reuben; Burch, Reuben F.; Bishop, 
James, Sr.; Burnham, Lewis C.; Buchan, James M.; Bohannon, James. 

Coleman, John A.; Campbell, Robert C.; Coleman, William A.; Clark, 
Benjamin F.; Cravey, Daniel C.; Clark, Matthew; Clark, Harlow; Cadwell, 
Reuben W.; Clark, William C.; Coleman, Henry C.; Coffee, Peter H.; Cad¬ 
well, Andy; Coleman, Andrew B. 

Defore, William J.; Dunn, Thomas; Douglas, David T.; Dean, Allen W.; 
Daniel, Stephen M. 

Evans, Elisha, Sr.; Evans, Elisha, Jr.; Etheridge, William D.; Evans, Levi; 
English, Efely; Evans, Samuel A.; Evans, Reuben R.; Evans, John L.; Evans, 
George W., Sr.; Evans, George. 

Giddens, Benjamin E. L.; Graham, Joseph, Sr. 

Harrell, Lewis B.; Hobbs, Larry; Harrell, John A., Jr.; Handley, John J.; 
Hobbs, Berry; Horne, Jesse D.; Hart, Robert H.; Hilliard, James W.; Har¬ 
grove, Larking L.; Harrell, Frances H.; Harrell, Charles; Harrell, Lemuel T.; 
Hutto, Henry; Harrell, John A., Sr.; Harrell, Benjamin; Harrell, Wright; 
Harrell, Reuben A.; Harrell, Wright W.; Harrell, Jas. D.; Hodge, James. 

Jones, Joseph G.; Jones, John W.; Jones, Robert M. 

Lister, Daniel A.; Lancaster, Miles A.; Livingston, John S.; Livingston, 
Jacob; Lamb, Floyd; Lister, Neal L.; Lister, Job; Lee, Eli F.; Lowery, Wil¬ 
liam E. 

Mullis, William F. P.; Mullis, Thomas M.; Mitchell, Stephen J.; Martin, 
William R.; Martin, Jeremiah M.; Murrell, Charles B.; Mullis, John T.; Mul¬ 
lis, Charles N.; Moore, William J.; Mullis, James K. P.; Mullis, Joel, Sr.; 
Moore, John J. 

McLeod, Allen; McIntyre, John; McEachin, Duncan S.; McCranie, Mal- 
com; McCranie, Horton; McCranie, John, Jr.; McCranie, John, Sr. 

Nixon, Jesse V.; Nicholson, Samuel C.; Norris, Isaac N. 

Phillips, William; Peacock, William D.; Parkerson, Cordeal D.; Peacock, 
Augustus C.; Peacock, Elbert, Sr.; Peacock, Gilom E.; Purvis, Daniel G. 


The First Settlers 


33 


Rozar, James W.; Rozar, Robert; Rawlins, George W.; Reeves, Josiah; 
Rozar, Charles A.; Reaves, John H.; Rogers, William P.; Rogers, Jesse; 
Rogers, John; Rawlins, Nicholas; Ryals, James, Sr.; Reaves, Phillip; Reaves, 
Joseph; Ryals, Baldy; Rogers, Charles; Ryals, John C; Rawlins, J. T.; Raw¬ 
lins, James Calvin; Rozar, John J. 

Studstill. William, Sr.; Sapp, Hiram J.; Smith, Noah; Swearingame, Dar¬ 
ling, W., Sr.; Smith, I. Daniel; Sheffield, James; Smith, Loyd; Surmons, John 
A.; Sapp. William B. 

Tripp, William J.; Trippi, Henry; Taylor, Reuben W.; Thompson, John S.; 
Tripp, Edmund. 

Wade, Oliver P.; Wright, William A.; Walker, George W.; Wise, William 
FI.; Walker, George T.; Walker, James E.; Walker, Matthew A.; Wright, 
Isaac N.; Williams, David W.; Wright, John F.; Walker, William H.; Wright, 
James B.; Willcox, Thomas P.; Wright, Micajah; Wrye, James. 

Yawn, Elisha; Yearty, Malt; Yancey, George W.; Yancey, John; Yancey, 
David; Yawn, William; Yawn, Calvin; Yawn, Elvin. 

The following is a list of the first negro settlers in 1870, many 
of whom became property owners and made good citizens: 

Adams, Wiley. 

Bishop, Charles; Burch, Martin; Buchan, Dannis; Burch, Anthony; Bishop, 
John; Bishop, Guilford; Burch, Robert; Buchan, Charles; Bishop, Irwin, Sr. 
Clark, Iverson; Coffee, Simon, Sr. 

DeYounks, Prince; Dozier, Daniel; Dennis, Eli; Dykes, Mitchell. 

Fain, Isom. 

Holmes, Thomas; Hall, Daniel; Harrell, Harry; Harrell, Jerry; Harrell, 
Dave; Henderson, Dock; Hall, Mike; Harrell, Hardy; Hendley, Ben.; Hamil¬ 
ton, John. 

Jackson, Werry. 

London, Berry; Livingston, John. 

Odum. Frank; Oneal, Richard. 

Phillips, Jordan. 

Reaves, Sam; Ryals, Limus; Reaves, James; Reaves, Harry; Reaves, Henry; 
Regans, Edmund; Rainhart, Melvin. 

Simmons, Caleb; Studstill, Neal; Sellers, John J. 

Walker, Jake; Willcox, Andrew; Whitehead, Jinks; Willcox, Robert; Will¬ 
cox, Ben Jack; Willcox, Frank M. 

Yarborough, Thomas. 

The following negroes moved into the county in 1871 and later: 

Ball, Thomas H.; Burney, Green B.; Burney, Calvin L.; Burch, William; 
Ball. Jas.; Burch, Warren; Baltimore, Jake; Bray, Bob; Bray, Jim; Battle, 
Bob. 

Crocker, Peyton; Coats, William; Coffee, Victor; Coney, Martin; Coffee, 
Isaiah; Coffee, Wiley; Chancey, Alec.; Chancey, Alvis; Carroll, Calvin B.; 
Cobb, Henry; Dennis, Jordan; Dixon, Nathan; Davis, Wess. 

Goodwin, Judge. 


34 


History of Dodge County 


Hall, John William; Hall, Cornelius; Hall, Henry; Harrell, Anthony; Hall, 
Jerry; Hamilton, Joe; Hamilton, Frank; Hamilton, Arter; Hall, Robt. B.; 
Hamilton, Levi; Harrell, Zeke; Harrell, Bryant R.; Harrell, Tobe; Horne, 
Jeff; Hodge, Gaynor; Holland, Ned; Hall, Lewis. 

Irby, William; Irby, Oscar. 

Jiles, Jordan; Jackson, Hardin; Jones, Henry; Jenkins, Frank. 

Luster, Wesley; Lamkin, Green; Lamkin, Lewis; Lockett, Nathan; Lamkin, 
Sam; Larkin, Lewis; Lanier, Tom; Lester, Albert; Lightfoot, Thomas. 
McGriff, Allen; McGriff, Henry. 

Nash, Wilson. 

Payne, Peter; Peterson, Landy; Pitts, Frank; Phillips, Nep. 

Russell, John; Roach, Will; Roland, Green. 

Spivey, Peter. 

Tharpe, Henry. 

Whitehead, Bryant; Whitehead, Levi W. 

Yopp, Ben. 

AGRICULTURE IN 1873. 

The Eastman Times, December 24, 1873, published the following 
report, which is very interesting reading to the farmer of today, com¬ 
paring, as it does, the present day out-put to that of the beginning 
of the county: 

“The following is the agricultural products of Dodge County as compiled 
by Isaac Herrman from the books of the Tax Collector: 


“Bales of cotton ... 

. 930 

Bushels of dried peaches.... 2 

Bushels of barley . 

. 100 

Bushels of peanuts . . 

. 57 

Bushels of oats ... 

. 4 551 

Number of sheep ... 

. 9,022 

Bushels of corn ... 

.46,073 

Number of hogs .... 

. 9 565 

Bushels of sweet potatoes... 18 274 

Number of horses an 

d mules 521 

Bushels of Irish potatoes.... 410 

Number of cattle ... 

. 6,319 

Pounds of tobacco 

. 1,307 

Yards of cotton cloth 

made. . 137 

Gallons of syrup .. 

.13,225 

Yards of woolen cloth made 123 

Pounds of sugar .. 

. 925 

Pounds of wool carded. 95” 

Bushels of dried a] 

pples. 12 



COUNTY OFFICERS—1871-1932. 


1871 


1873 


Jordan Brown. 


Jordan Brown. 


Ruben A. Harrell. .. 

.Clerk of Court 

Ruben A. Harrell. .. 

.Clerk of Court 

S. W. Burch. 


John J. Rozar. 


J. W. Bohannon. 


J. W. Bohannon. ... 


H. J. Sapp. 


H. J. Sapp. 


T. P. Willcox. 


J. S. Livingston.... 

.Treasurer 

1872 


1874 


Jordan Brown. 

..Sheriff 

Jordan Brown. 

.Sheriff 

Ruben A. Harrell... 

.Clerk of Court 

Ruben A. Harrell... 

.Clerk of Court 

S. W. Burch. 

.Ordinary 

John J. Rozar. 


J. W. Bohannon. 

. .Tax Collector 

John W. Bohannon.. 

. .Tax Collector 

H. J. Sapp. 

..Tax Receiver 

H. J. Sapp. 


T P. Willcox. 

.Treasurer 

J. S. Livingston.... 


































County Officers 


35 


1875 


Jordan Brown.. 


Isaac Herrman. 

.Clerk 

J. J. Rozar. 


H. J. Sapp. 

.Tax Collector 

J. J. Hamilton. 

• Tax Receiver 

J. S. Livingston.... 


1876 

Jordan Brown. 


Isaac Herrman. 


J. J. Rozar.. 


H. J. Sapp. 

.Tax Collector 

J. J. Hamilton. 

, .Tax Receiver 

J. S. Livingston. 


1877 

W. B. Sapp. 


J. C. Rawlins. 


J. J. Rozar. 


H. J. Sapp. 

.Tax Collector 

J. W. Bohannon. 


J. J. Hamilton. 


1878 

W. B. Sapp. 


J. C. Rawlins. 


J. J. Rozar. 

.Ordinary 

H. J. Sapp. 

.Tax Collector 

J. W. Bohannon. 

. .Tax Receiver 

J. J. Hamilton. 


1879 

W. B. Sapp. 


J. C. Rawlins. 


J. J. Rozar. 


J. M. Woodward. 

.Tax Collector 

J. W. Bohannon. 

. .Tax Receiver 

W. W. Ashburn. 


1880 

W. B. Sapp. 

.Sheriff 

J. C. Rawlins. 


J. J. Rozar. 


J. M. Woodward. 

.Tax Collector 

J. W. Bohannon. 


W. W. Ashburn. 


1881 

W. B. Sapp. 


J. C. Rawlins. 


J. J. Rozar. 


Baldy Ryals. 

.Tax Collector 

J. W. Bohannon. 

. .Tax Receiver 

C. H. Peacock. 

.Treasurer 

1882 

W. B. Sapp. 

.Sheriff 

J. C. Rawlins. 


J. J. Rozar. 


Baldy Ryals. 

.Tax Collector 

J. W. Bohannon. 

. .Tax Receiver 

C. H. Peacock. 



1883 

J. Tom Rawlins.Sheriff 

J. C. Rawlins.Clerk 

J. J. Rozar.Ordinary 

Baldy Ryals.Tax Collector 

J. W. Bohannon.Tax Receiver 

C. H. Peacock...Treasurer 

1884 

J. T. Rawlins.Sheriff 

J. C. Rawlins.Clerk 

J. J. Rozar.Ordinary 

Baldy Ryals.Tax Collector 

J. W. Bohannon.Tax Receiver 

C. H. Peacock.Treasurer 

1885 

J. T. Rawlins.Sheriff 

J. C. Rawlins.Clerk 

J. J. Rozar.Ordinary 

Baldy Ryals.Tax Collector 

J. W. Bohannon.Tax Receiver 

C. H. Peacock.Treasurer 

1886 

J. T. Rawlins.Sheriff 

J. C. Rawlins.Clerk 

J. J. Rozar.Ordinary 

Baldy Ryals.Tax Collector 

J. W. Bohannon.Tax Receiver 

C. H. Peacock.Treasurer 

1887 

J. T. Rawlins.Sheriff 

J. C. Rawlins.Clerk 

J. J. Rozar.Ordinary 

Baldy Ryals.Tax Collector 

James R. Giddens.Tax Receiver 

J. M. Sapp.Treasurer 

1888 

J. T. Rawlins.Sheriff 

J. C. Rawlins.Clerk 

J. J. Rozar.Ordinary 

Baldy Ryals.Tax Collector 

James R. Giddens.Tax Receiver 

J. M. Sapp.Treasurer 

1889 

Perry S. Hargrove.Sheriff 

J. C. Rawlins.Clerk 

M. L. Burch.Ordinary 

Baldy Ryals.Tax Collector 

James R. Giddens.Tax Receiver 

J. M. Sapp.Treasurer 

1890 

Perry S. Hargrove.Sheriff 

J. C, Rawlins.Clerk 

M. L. Burch.Ordinary 

Baldy Ryals.Tax Collector 

James R. Giddens.Tax Receiver 

J. M. Sapp.Treasurer 





























































































36 


History of Dodge County 


1891 

Perry S. Hargrove.Sheriff 

J. C. Rawlins.Clerk 

M. L. Burch.Ordinary 

J. D. Taylor.Tax Collector 

E. D. Griffin.Tax Receiver 

J. M. Sapip.Treasurer 

1892 

Perry S. Hargrove.Sheriff 

J. C. Rawlins.Clerk 

M. L. Burch.Ordinary 

J. D. Taylor.Tax Collector 

E. D. Griffin.Tax Receiver 

J. M. Sapp.Treasurer 

1893 

J. C. Rogers.Sheriff 

J. C. Rawlins.Clerk 

A. G. Williamson.Ordinary 

J. D. Taylor.Tax Collector 

E. D. Griffin.Tax Receiver 

J. M. Sapp.Treasurer 

1894 

J. C. Rogers.Sheriff 

J. C. Rawlins.Clerk 

A. G. Williamson.Ordinary 

J. D. Taylor.Tax Collector 

E. D. Griffin.Tax Receiver 

J. M. Sapp.Treasurer 

1895 

J. C. Rogers.Sheriff 

J. C. Rawlins...Clerk 

A. G. Williamson.Ordinary 

John R. Giddens.Tax Collector 

E. D. Griffin.Tax Receiver 

Levi Lee.Treasurer 

1896 

J. C. Rogers.Sheriff 

J. C. Rawlins.Clerk 

A. G. Williamson.Ordinary 

John R. Giddens.Tax Collector 

E. D. Griffin.Tax Receiver 

J. M. Sapp.Treasurer 

1897 

J. C. Rogers.Sheriff 

J. C. Rawlins.Clerk 

A. G. Williamson.Ordinary 

J. D. Taylor.Tax Collector 

E. D. Griffin.Tax Receiver 

Levi Lee.Treasurer 

1899 

J. C. Rogers.Sheriff 

J. C. Rawlins.Clerk 

John W. Bohannon.Ordinary 

J. D. Taylor.Tax Collector 

E. D. Griffin.Tax Receiver 

Joe Peacock.Treasurer 


1901 

J. C. Rogers.Sheriff 

J. C. Rawlins.Clerk 

John W. Bohannon.Ordinary 

W. P. Harrell.Tax Collector 

E. D. Griffin.Tax Receiver 

Joe Peacock.Treasurer 

1903 

J. C. Rogers.Sheriff 

J. D. Taylor.Clerk 

John W. Bohannon.Ordinary 

W. P. Harrell.Tax Collector 

E. D. Griffin.Tax Receiver 

Joe Peacock.Treasurer 

1904 

Board of County Commissioners 
elected as follows: 

W. H. Cotter.Co. Commissioner 

C. C. Horsford.. .Co. Commissioner 

C. M. Rozar.Co. Commissioner 

A. I. Steward... .Co.. Commissioner 
T. S. Willcox ... .Co. Commissioner 

1905 

J. C. Rogers.Sheriff 

J. D. Taylor.Clerk 

A. G. Williamson.Ordinary 

J. W. Jones, Jr.Tax Collector 

E. D. Griffin.Tax Receiver 

H. J. Sapp.Treasurer 

1907 

J. C. Rogers.Sheriff 

J. D. Taylor.Clerk 

A. G. Williamson.Ordinary 

J. W. Jones, Jr.Tax Collector 

E. D. Griffin.Tax Receiver 

1909 

John W. Taylor.Sheriff 

John M. Clark.Clerk 

Joel F. Coleman.Ordinary 

J. W. Lee.Tax Collector 

E. D. Griffin.Tax Receiver 

W. F. Peacock.Treasurer 

John Brown.Co. Commissioner 

N. J. Nicholson. ..Co. Commissioner 

1911 

John W. Taylor.Sheriff 

John M. Clark.Clerk 

Joel F. Coleman.Ordinary 

J. W. Lee.Tax Collector 

E. D. Griffin.Tax Receiver 

W. F. Peacock.Treasurer 

Chas. J. Jones....Co. Commissioner 

A. J. Law.Co. Commissioner 

A. B. Hargrove.. .Co. Commissioner 
N. J. Nicholson.. .Co. Commissioner 
John Brown.Co. Commissioner 

























































































County Officers 


37 


1912 

Board of five County Commissioners 
abolished and one Commissioner 
elected. 

1913 

John W. Taylor.Sheriff 

Bob Wynne.Clerk 

Joel F. Coleman.Ordinary 

C. L. Peacock.Tax Collector 

E. D. Griffin.Tax Receiver 

G. R. Hendrix.... Co. Commissioner 

W. F. Peacock.Treasurer 

1914 

C. N. Mullis.Sheriff 


1919 

C. N. Mullis.Sheriff 

Bob Wynne.Clerk 

Joel F. Coleman.Ordinary 

C. L. Peacock.Tax Collector 

J. B. Willcox.Tax Receiver 

W. F. Peacock.Treasurer 

G. R. Hendrix... .Co. Commissioner 

1920 

C. L. Peacock, Tax Collector, died 
and his daughter. Miss Maude 
Peacock was appointed to fill his 
unexpired term. Miss Peacock has 
the distinction of being the first 



THE DODGE COUNTY COURT HOUSE. 

Built, 1908. 


1915 

C. N. Mullis.Sheriff 

Bob Wynne.Clerk 

Joel F. Coleman.Ordinary 

C. L. Peacock.Tax Collector 

E. D. Griffin.Tax Receiver 

W. F. Peacock.Treasurer 

G. R. Hendrix. .. .Co. Commissioner 

1917 

C. N. Mullis.Sheriff 

Bob Wynne.Clerk 

Joel F. Coleman.Ordinary 

C, L. Peacock.Tax Collector 

J. B. Willcox.Tax Receiver 

W. F. Peacock.Treasurer 

G. R. Hendrix_Co. Commissioner 


lady office holder in Georgia. Dur¬ 
ing the year 1920 the office of 
County Treasurer was abolished, 
the Ordinary having been made 
the depository for the county’s 
funds. 

1921 

C. N. Mullis.Sheriff 

John A. Harrell.Clerk 

Joel F. Coleman.Ordinary 

R. G. P. McKinnon.. .Tax Collector 

J. B. Willcox.Tax Receiver 

R. F. Burch, Jr...Co. Commissioner 

1925 

C. N. Mullis.Sheriff 

John A. Harrell.Clerk 










































38 


History of Dodge County 


S. D. Bowen.Ordinary 

R. G. P. McKinnon.. .Tax Collector 

J. P. Brown.Tax Receiver 

W. D. McCranie. .Co. Commissioner 

1929 

G. C. Rogers.Sheriff 

J. R. C. Jones.Clerk 

S. D. Bowen.Ordinary 

I. N. Parkerson.Tax Collector 

Joel E. Butler.Tax Receiver 

W. D. McCranie. .Co. Commissioner 

1930 

G. C. Rogers.Sheriff 

J. R. C. Jones.Clerk 

S. D. Bowen.Ordinary 

I. N. Parkerson.Tax Collector 

Joel E. Butler.Tax Receiver 

W. D. McCranie. .Co. Commissioner 


1931 

G. C. Rogers.Sheriff 

J. R. C. Jones.Clerk 

S. D. Bowen.Ordinary 

I. N. Parkerson.Tax Collector 

Joel E. Butler.Tax Receiver 

W. D. McCranie. .Co. Commissioner 

1932 

G. C. Rogers.Sheriff 

J. R. C. Jones.Clerk 

S. D. Bowen.Ordinary 

I. N. Parkerson.Tax Collector 

Joel E. Butler.Tax Receiver 

W. D. McCranie. .Co. Commissioner 

These officers have recently been 
re-elected to serve for another term 
of four years. 



THE PRESENT OFFICERS OF DODGE COUNTY. 

Front row, left to right: S. D. Bowen, Ordinary and Treasurer; I. N. Parker¬ 
son, Tax Collector; John R. C. Jones, Clerk Superior Court. Second row: 
JPi. C. Rozar, County School Superintendent; Joel E. Butler, T\ax Receiver; 
W. D. McCranie, County Commissioner. Third row: G. C. Rogers, Sheriff; 
0. J. Franklin, Judge City Court; D. D: Smith, Solicitor City Court. 




























County School Superintendents 


39 


COUNTY SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENTS AND BOARDS 
OF EDUCATION—1879-1932. 


The earliest records that could be found in the office of the Coun¬ 
ty School Superintendent were of June 8, 1878. The following su¬ 
perintendents and boards have served from that date until the 
present: 


Superintendent 

1878— John J. Hamilton 

1879— Chas. R. Armstrong 

1880— Chas R. Armstrong 

1881— Chas. R. Armstrong 

1882— Chas. R. Armstrong 

1883— Chas. R. Armstrong 

1884— Chas. R. Armstrong 

1885— Chas. R. Armstrong 

1886— Henry Coleman 

1887— Henry Coleman 

1888— Henry Coleman 

1889— James Bishop, Sr. 

1890— James Bishop, Sr. 

1891— James Bishop, Sr. 

1892— James Bishop, Sr. 

1893— James Bishop. Sr. 

1894— James Bishop Sr. 

1895— James Bishop, Sr. 

1896— James Bishop Sr. 

1897— James Bishop, Sr. 

1898— James Bishop, Sr. 

1899— James Bishop, Sr. 

1900— James Bishop, Sr. 


Board of Education 

Charles R. Armstrong, W. K. Bussey. Nicholas 
Rawlins, Hiram J. Sapp. 

H. J. Sapp, W. K. Bussey, Nicholas Rawlins, Henry 
Coleman. 

H. J. Sapp, W. K. Bussey, Nicholas Rawlins, Henry 
Coleman. 

H. J. Sapp, W. K. Bussey, Henry Coleman, J. F. 
DeLacey. 

H. J. Sapp, W. K. Bussey, Henry Coleman, J. F. 
DeLacey. 

H. J. Sapp, W. K. Bussey, Henry Coleman, J. F. 
DeLacey. 

H. J. Sapp, W. K. Bussey, Henry Coleman, J. F. 
DeLacey. 

H. J. Sapp, W. K. Bussey, Henry Coleman, J. F. 
DeLacey. 

J. F. DeLacey, H. J. Sapp, Chas. R. Armstrong, 
W. K. Bussey. 

J. F. DeLacey, H. J. Sapp, Chas. R. Armstrong. 
W. K. Bussey. 

L. M. Peacock added to the Board; also James 
Bishop, Jr. 

H. J. Sapp, James Bishop. Jr., Chas. R. Armstrong, 
E. A. Smith. 

P. A. Jessup, Wm. McRae, Hamilton Clark, James 
Bishop, Jr. 

P. A. Jessup, Wm. McRae, Hamilton Clark, James 
Bishop, Jr. 

H. J. Sapp, Wm. McRae, L. M. Peacock, James 
Bishop, Jr., Hamilton Clark, Sol Herrman. 

L. M. Peacock, James Bishop, Jr., Sol Herrman, 
Hamilton Clark, J. E. Wooten. 

L. M. Peacock. J. E. Wooten, James Bishop, Jr., 
Quitman Cook, C, J. Jones. 

L. M. Peacock. J. E. Wooten, James Bishop, Jr., 
Quitman Cook, C. J. Jones. 

L. M. Peacock, C. J. Jones, D. A. Burch, B. H. 
Harrell, Quitman Cook. 

L. M. Peacock, C. J. Jones, D. A. Burch, B. H. 
Harrell, Quitman Cook. 

L. M. Peacock, B. H. Harrell, Baldy Ryals, D. A. 
Burch. 

B. H. Harrell. L. M. Peacock, Baldy Ryals, D. A. 
Burch, D. M. Buchan. 

B. H. Harrell, L. M. Peacock, Baldy Ryals, D. A. 
Burch, D. M. Buchan. 


40 


History of Dodge County 


1901— M. L. Burch 

1902— M. L. Burch 

1903— M. L. Burch 

1904— M. L. Burch 

1905— M. L. Burch 

1906— M. L. Burch 

1907— M. L. Burch 

1908— M. L. Burch 

1909— M. L. Burch 

1910— M. L. Burch 

1911— M. L. Burch 

1912— M. W. Harrell 

1913— M. W. Harrell 

1914— M. W. Harrell 

1915— M. W. Harrell 

1916— M. W. Harrell 

1917— M. W. Harrell 

1918— M. W. Harrell 

1919— M. W. Harrell 

1920— M. W. Harrell 

1921— M. W. Harrell 

1922— M. W. Harrell 

1923— M. W. Harrell 

1924— M. W. Harrell 

1925— W. C. Rozar 

1926— W. C. Rozar 

1927— W. C. Rozar 

1928— W. C. Rozar 

1929— W. C. Rozar 


L. M. Peacock, B. H. Harrell, D. M. Buchan, D. 

A. Burch, Baldy Ryals. 

L. M. Peacock, B. H. Harrell, D. M. Buchan, D. 
A. Burch, Baldy Ryals. 

W. J. Williams, B. H. Harrell, D. M. Buchan, D. 

A. Burch, Baldy Ryals. 

D. A. Burch, C. J. Jones, W. H. Thompson, W. J. 
Williams. 

D. A. Burch, C. J. Jones, W. H. Thompson, W. J. 
Williams. 

D. A. Burch, C. J. Jones, W. H. Thompson, W. J. 
Williams, J. B. Coffee. 

D. A. Burch, C. J. Jones, W. H. Thompson, W. J. 
Williams, J. B. Coffee. 

W. J. Williams, W. H. Thompson, C. J. Jones, J. 

B. Coffee, L. C. Nicholson. 

W. J. Williams, W. H. Thompson, C. J. Jones, J. 

B. Coffee, L. C. Nicholson. 

J. B. Coffee, L. C. Nicholson, W. H. Thompson, W. 

R. Willis, W. J. Williams. 

W. H. Thompson, J. B. Cameron, J. B. Coffee, L. 

C. Nicholson, W. R. Willis. 

J. B. Cameron, J. B. Coffee, D. C. Pierce, A. M. 
Jessup, W. R. Willis. 

J. B. Cameron, J. B. Coffee, D. C. Pierce, A. M. 
Jessup, W. R. Willis. 

J. B. Williams, J. B. Coffee, D. C. Pierce, W. R. 
Willis, W. D. Lister. 

J. B. Williams, J. B. Coffee, D. C. Pierce, W. R. 
Willis, W. D. Lister. 

J. B. Coffee, D. C. Pierce, J. B. Williams, W. R. 
Willis, I. N. Parkerson. 

J. B. Coffee, D. C. Pierce, J. B. Williams, W. R. 
Willis, I. N. Parkerson. 

D. C. Pierce, J. B. Williams, I. N. Parkerson, W. 
R. Willis, W. B. Jessup. 

D. C. Pierce, T. A. McMillan, W. B. Jessup, J. B. 

Williams, I. N. Parkerson. 

J. B. Williams, M. M. Jones,. J. J. Cadwell, C. M. 
Jackson, W. D. NeSmith. 

M. M. Jones, W. D. NeSmith, J. J. Cadwell, C. M. 
Jackson, A. F. Clements. 

M. M. Jones, W. D. NeSmith, J. J. Cadwell, C. M. 
Jackson, A. F. Clements. 

J. J. Cadwell, W. D. NeSmith, F. T. Parkerson, A. 

F. Clements, P. M. Burch. 

A. F. Clements, F. T. Parkerson, W. D. NeSmith, 
P. M. Burch, J. J. Cadwell. 

P. M. Burch, H. E. Hill, F. T. Parkerson, J. J. Cad¬ 
well, A. F. Clements. 

P. M. Burch, H. E. Hill, A. F. Clements, F. T. 
Parkerson, W. H. Smith. 

P. M. Burch, H. E. Hill, A. F. Clements, F. T. 
Parkerson, W. H. Smith. 

W. H. Smith, H. E. Hill, F. T. Parkerson, A. F. 
Clements, W. R. Willis. 

W. H. Smith, H. E. Hill, F. T. Parkerson, A. F. 
Clements, W. R. Willis. 


First Superior Court 


41 


1939—W. C. Rozar W. H. Smith, H. E. Hill, F. T. Parkerson, W. R. 

Willis, W. S. Wvnne. 

1931— W. C. Rozar W. H. Smith, H. E. Hill, F. T. Parkerson, W. S. 

Wynne, W. A. Willis. 

1932— W. C. Rozar W. H. Smith. H. E. Hill, F. T. Parkerson, W. S. 

Wynne, W. A. Willis. 

FIRST SUPERIOR COURT. 

The following is from the Macon Telegraph of April 20, 1871: 

"The first session of the Superior Court in the new county of Dodge was or¬ 
ganized at Eastman, the county site, on Friday last, and continued in session 
Friday and Saturday. His Honor, Judge Alexander, presided. Members of the 
bar present were: Solicitor-General W. B. Burnett; Ex-Judge Hansell, of 
Thomasville; Messrs. Kibbee, Pate and Burke, of Hawkinsville; Rollin Stan¬ 
ley and Col. J. Rivers, of Dublin; Gen. Eli Warren, of Perry; McDermid, of 
Telfair; and A. R. Hall and Thomas Taylor, of Eastman. 

“Judge Alexander’s charge to the Grand Jury was excellent. He strongly 
enforced the laws prohibiting the carrying of deadly weapons and retailing 
liquors without license. The law now makes it a high misdemeanor to sell any 
kind of spirituous liquor until a license has first been obtained from the 
county authorities, and the applicant has filed a bond in the sum of $500.00 to 
keep an orderly house and not to sell to any intoxicated person. He must also 
take an oath that he will not sell liquor to a minor without the consent of his 
parent or guardian. 

“After the court adjourned the members accompanied Mr. Eastman in a 
walk about the town, viewing the proposed site of the new court house and 
examining the plans of the structure. The court house is to be built imme¬ 
diately and presented as a donation to the county by the Hon. William E. 
Dodge, of New York City, for whom the county has been named. The new 
county of Dodge was organized by the last Legislature out of territory belong¬ 
ing to Pulaski, Telfair and Montgomery, and will be the center of a heavy 
lumber business.” 

The Grand Jurors at this first term of Dodge Superior Court were: 
I. W. Mitchell, H. Clark, Loyd Smith, Jno. J. Handley, J. S. Liv¬ 
ingston, George W. Walker, James M. Buchan, L. L. Hargrove, 
Turner Howell, S. C. Nicholson, J. W. Bowen, Daniel S. Williams, 
John McCranie, James J. Baker, Hugh B. Maloy, John W. Harrell, 
Daniel McCranie, B. H. Harrell. 

Petit Jury: Y. R. Griffin, M. C. Harrell, Truman Vaughn, Joseph 
Graham, Samuel Evans, E. English, J. R. Tripp, Jesse Brown, 
Samuel Smith, Thomas Stewart, Wright Harrell, Thomas Joiner, 
Samuel Graham, Elbert Peacock, John Moore, Charles Rogers, 
Benjamin Moore, W. A. Coleman. 

Bailiffs: A. G. Holt and J. T. Bohannon. 


EASTMAN. 


1)RI0R to the year 1840 the territory comprising the site of the 
A present city of Eastman was a vast wilderness, in which the prin¬ 
cipal growth was that of pine trees and wiregrass. At that period 
there were only two or three houses between the Oconee River on 
the east and the Ocmulgee River on the west. 

During the year 1840 Billy Lee built the first house within the 
limits of what is now Eastman, about where the residence of the 
late Judge James Bishop now stands. He lived in his pioneer home 
here until he died and at his death the property was inherited by 
his son, Frank, who in turn made the place his home. The next 
house constructed was a three-room cottage, which until a few years 
ago occupied the spot where the Judge Walter M. Clements residence 
now stands. This cottage was built by Mr. William Pitt Eastman, 
for whom the city was named, and a few years ago it was moved to 
a location on Eastman Avenue. In the spring of 1869 Gen. Ira R. 
Foster built the first house which was the real beginning of the town 
of Eastman. 

The history of Eastman is intimately associated with the lives 
of William Pitt Eastman and William E. Dodge, the former a native 
of New Hampshire, and the latter a resident of New York until the 
time of their coming to this section. Both these pioneer settlers 
arrived in the year 1870. The land comprising the present location 
of Eastman was first granted by the State to the Lumber City Lum¬ 
ber Company. This company in turn sold the property to the State 
of Indiana, but upon a decision of the United States Court that the 
State could not hold the property it was disposed of to a New York 
company. The lands soon again changed hands, being transferred 
to Mr. Eastman, who later sold the entire tract to Mr. Dodge, with 
the exception of the property located within the limits of what is 
now the town. 

In 1872 the town of Eastman was incorporated, with Gen. Ira R. 
Foster as mayor, who was followed in office by Judge James Bishop, 
Sr. The first postmaster of the new town was Dr. J. M. Buchan, 
who was also the first Representative to the Legislature from Dodge 
County. Major C. R. Armstrong was the next postmaster. The 
building which housed the postoffice was located on what is now 
the intersection of College Street and Second Avenue, West. 


Eastman 


43 


The first public school building, known as the Eastman Academy, 
was built at the point where School Street and Fifth Avenue, West, 
intersect, and between the homes of Mr. C. F. Coleman and Mr. 
J. G. Williamson. The first public school teacher was Professor 
Trunnell. Prior to the erection of the Academy Prof. Bates taught 
for a number of the citizens and was in reality the first instructor 
in the new town. The Academy was retained in service until the 
construction of the present building on College Street in 1898. 
Among the noted teachers who have been employed in the schools 
may be mentioned: Prof. George A. Harrison, later president of 
R. E. Lee Institute at Thomaston, Georgia; H. W. J. Ham, better 
known as “Snollygoster” Ham; and Dr. P. A. Jessup, father of our 
fellow townsman, W. L. Jessup. Dr. Jessup later became a trustee 
of Mercer University. 

The first store of the town was owned by Isaac Herrman, and was 
operated in the old depot of the Macon and Brunswick railroad 
about 1871. Other early business enterprises were a saw mill 
operated by Armstrong and Foster, and a turpentine distillery owned 
by Hannon and Coleman. Mr. Hannon died here and was the first 
person to be buried in Woodlawn cemetery. 

The Eastman Times, the first newspaper, was published by R. S. 
Burton and edited by H. W. J. Ham. McArthur and Griffin were 
the pioneer real estate dealers, having established a land office in 
the early years of the town, which business was carried on in the 
building situated on Fifth Avenue, East, and located near where the 
Methodist Church now stands, having later become the property of 
Dr. J. D. Herrman until its removal about fifteen years ago. 

Mrs. C. R. Armstrong was proprietress of the first hotel, which 
stood just in the rear of what is now the grounds of the former 
DeLietch Hotel. The Uplands Hotel, which was built in the year 
1876 by Mr. William E. Dodge, was opened by John Linsey, of New 
York. The building was quite a large structure, being a three-story 
frame structure, and w r as used for a number of years as a winter 
resort, it having been one of the first hotels for this purpose con¬ 
structed in the South. 

The first brick store in Eastman was the old concrete building 
situated on the corner lot where the College Street Pharmacy now 
stands and was built by Prince DeYounk, a negro. 


44 


History of Dodge County 


In 1874 the court house was finished and presented to the county 
by Mr. Dodge. 

There is a vast difference between the Eastman of yesterday and 
that of today. From its modest beginning the commercial and in¬ 
dustrial development have been steady and substantial, and in the 
present year, 1931, the city possesses every facility, comfort and 
convenience known to modern life. In civic improvements and 
number of beautiful public buildings no city in Georgia of similar 
size can boast of Eastman’s record. There are situated within its 
confines four of the prettiest church buildings in south Georgia, 
representing strong memberships, comprising the Methodist, Bap¬ 
tist, Presbyterian and Christian denominations. 

The Dodge County court house, one of the most magnificent 
temples of justice in Georgia, is located in Eastman. It is a most 
attractive work of architecture, contains all conveniences, and was 
completed in 1906 at a cost of $125,000.00. 

The educational advantages of the town are unexcelled. On Col¬ 
lege Street, at a high elevation, amid attractive surroundings, are 
situated the main school building and annex. All comforts and 
proper sanitary arrangements are provided, including steam heat, 
electric lights, drinking fountains, gymnasiums, etc. In the main 
building is a splendid auditorium, fitted with every modern facility 
and seating about 1,200 people. 

The city is provided with an abundant supply of pure artesian 
water, drawn by electrically driven machinery from a well 705 feet 
deep, and conveyed throughout the city in 55 miles of mains. The 
water works system is municipally owned. The sanitation of the 
city is well cared for by 20 miles of sewers and two disposal plants. 
It is truly said of Eastman that it is the best lighted town of its 
size in the South. 

Almost all lines of commerce and industry are represented in 
Eastman. The city has 108 brick and concrete business houses, in¬ 
cluded in which are five cotton warehouses, handling about 22,000 
bales of cotton each year, three drug stores, two banks, three meat 
markets, one bakery, four garages, three cafes, one tea room, a 
magnificent three-story brick hotel, numerous mercantile establish¬ 
ments, a beauty parlor, conducted by Mrs. L. E. Tucker, and also 
one operated by Cobb’s barber shop. 


Eastman 


45 


Among the industries are an ice plant of 15 tons with 40-ton 
storage warehouse, the Eastman Cotton Mills which are valued at 
$200,000.00, a fertilizer plant, the Coca-Cola Bottling Co., three 
grist mills, three cotton ginneries, and one newspaper, The Times 
Journal , which is owned and edited by C. M. Methvin, Sr. Asso¬ 
ciated with him in the operation of the paper are his two sons, 
Claude, Jr., and Edwin T. Methvin. 

There are also two meat curing plants in the city at present, one 
of which is operated by the Georgia Power Co. and the other by 
Fred R. Bennett. Two hospitals, The Clinic, owned by Dr. J. C. 
Wall and Dr. B. W. Yawn, and Coleman’s Sanatorium, owned by 
Dr. Warren A. Coleman. 

Eastman is a city of attractive homes and contented residents, 
who are noted for their public spirit and hospitality. The people 
take great pride in the appearance of their city and homes and the 
result is a well kept municipality. 

Located in the heart of Eastman is a most beautiful park, the 
gift of Mr. William Pitt Eastman. All kinds of evergreen and 
flowering shrubbery, together with native trees of maple, dogwood, 
etc., make it a spot of beauty the year round. In the center of this 
beautiful park the Woman’s Club of Eastman erected a magnificent 
drinking fount at a cost of $3,000.00 in honor of Mr. Eastman. 

Woodlawn Cemetery, on the edge of town, is also a place of 
beauty. The land for the cemetery was presented to the city by Mr. 
Eastman. It was laid off into walks and driveways, and with its 
plantings of shrubbery and flowers is one of the prettiest cemeteries 
to be found anywhere. It is kept up by the city and presents a 
neat appearance every day in the year. 

Among the first citizens of the new town of Eastman were: Mr. 
and Mrs. J. M. Arthur; Judge D. M. Roberts; Mrs. Lizzie Daniel, 
mother of W. B. and Moses J. W. Daniel; James Bishop, Sr.; John 
M. Daniel; H. J. Sapp; Col. J. F. DeLacey; Wm. Pitt Eastman; Maj. 
C. R. Armstrong; Dr. Harris Fisher; H. W. J. Ham, one of the first 
lawyers in the county; Isaac Herrman; Matthew Clark; R. F. Burch, 
Sr.; L. M. Peacock, Sr.; Mrs. L. M. Peacock, Sr.; Gen. Ira R. 
Foster; P. A. Jessup. 

Later prominent citizens of Eastman, who were children when the 
county was created, were: Sol Herrman, Dr. J. D. Herrman, App 


46 


History of Dodge County 


Herrman, Dr. J. B. Clark, Col. C. W. Griffin, Col. James Bishop, Jr., 
B. T. Burch, T. H. Edwards, M. H. Edwards, and others. 



LEE-LAND HOTEL. 


MAYORS AND CLERKS OF EASTMAN—1872-1932. 

The town of Eastman was incorporated in 1872, and Gen. Ira R. 
Foster served as its first mayor. In 1873 Hon. James Bishop served 
as mayor, with the following councilmen: B. A. Herndon, W. W. 
Ashburn, Isaac H. Russell, Henry Herrman, R. A. Harrell, clerk 
pro tern. At the first meeting of council, on January 13, 1873, R. A. 
Harrell was elected clerk, John J. Hamilton treasurer, with C. B. 
Murrell marshal, at a salary of $150 per year. 


1874— L. A. Hall.Mayor 

1875— Jas. M. Buchan . . Mayor 

1876— Jas. M. Buchan . . Mayor 

1877— Col. John F. DeLacey, Mayor 

1878— L. M. Peacock . . . Mayor 

1879— L. M. Peacock . . . Mayor 

1880— Col. John F. DeLacey, Mayor 

1881— C. B. Murrell . . . Mayor 

1882— H. J. Sapp .... Mayor 

1883— C. T. Latimer . . . Mayor 

1884— L. M. Peacock . . . Mayor 

1885— William Pitt Eastman, Mayor 

1886— H. J. Sapp .... Mayor 

1887— E. B. Milner . . . Mayor 

1888— James Bishop, Jr. . . Mayor 

1889— C. B. Murrell . . . Mayor 


R. A. Harrell . 
R. A. Harrell . 

L. M. Peacock 

C. B. Murrell . . 
W. W. Humphrey, 
W. W. Humphrey, 
Charles H. Peacock, 
W. A. Morgan 
Sol Herrman . 

Sol Herrman . 

M. H. Edwards 
Sol Herrman . 

Sol Herrman . 

Sol Herrman . 

E. B. Milner . 

E. B. Milner . 


Clerk and Treasurer 
Clerk and Treasurer 
Clerk and Treasurer 
Clerk and Treasurer 
Clerk and Treasurer 
Clerk and Treasurer 
Clerk and Treasurer 
Clerk and Treasurer 
Clerk and Treasurer 
Clerk and Treasurer 
Clerk and Treasurer 
Clerk and Treasurer 
Clerk and Treasurer 
Clerk and Treasurer 
Clerk and Treasurer 
Clerk and Treasurer 







Eastman 


47 


1890 W. A. Smith . . . Mayor E. B. Milner . . Clerk and Treasurer 

1891 E. H. Herrman . . Mayor J. W. Lee . . . Clerk and Treasurer 

1892— C. H. Peacock . . . Mayor E. B. Milner . . Clerk and Treasurer 

1893— C. H. Peacock . . . Mayor E. B. Milner . . Clerk and Treasurer 

1894— W. F. Harrell . . . Mayor E. B. Milner . . Clerk and Treasurer 

1895— J. E. Wooten . . . Mayor J. B. Cameron . . Clerk and Treasurer 

1896— E. B. Milner .... Mayor J. B. Cameron . . Clerk and Treasurer 

1897— E. B. Milner .... Mayor J. B. Cameron . . Clerk and Treasurer 

1898— J. F. DeLacey . . . Mayor J. A. Harrell, Jr., Clerk and Treasurer 

1899— E. Herrman .... Mayor S. A. Foster . . Clerk and Treasurer 

1900— B. R. Calhoun . . . Mayor Arnold Harris . Clerk and Treasurer 

1901— W. M. Clements . . Mayor J. M. Sapp . . Clerk and Treasurer 

1902— L. M. Peacock . . . Mayor J. M. Sapp . . Clerk and Treasurer 

1903— James Bishop, Jr. . . Mayor J. B. Cameron . . Clerk and Treasurer 

1904— James Bishop, Jr. . . Mayor J. B. Cameron . . Clerk and Treasurer 

1905— E. H. Bacon .... Mayor J. B. Cameron . . Clerk and Treasurer 

1906— J. P. Highsmith . . Mayor J. B. Cameron . . Clerk and Treasurer 

1907— J. C. Rawlins . . . Mayor J. B. Cameron . . Clerk and Treasurer 

1908— J. C. Rawlins . . . Mayor J. B. Cameron . . Clerk and Treasurer 

1909— W. H. Cotter . . . Mayor J. B. Cameron . . Clerk and Treasurer 

1910— Dr. J. D. Herrman . Mayor O. R. Bennett . Clerk and Treasurer 

1911— Dr. J. D’. Herrman . Mayor O. R. Bennett . Clerk and Treasurer 

1912— Sol Herrman . . . Mayor O. R. Bennett . Clerk and Treasurer 

1913— J. C. Rawlins . . . Mayor O. R. Bennett . Clerk and Treasurer 

1914— J. C. Rawlins . . . Mayor O. R. Bennett . Clerk and Treasurer 

1915— Leroy Pharr .... Mayor G. M. Clements . Clerk and Treasurer 

1916— Leroy Pharr .... Mayor G. M. Clements . Clerk and Treasurer 

1917— J. C. Rawlins . . . Mayor G. M. Clements . Clerk and Treasurer 

1918— O. J. Franklin . . . Mayor G. M. Clements . Clerk and Treasurer 

1919— W. P. Cobb .... Mayor E. D. Griffin . . Clerk and Treasurer 

1920— O. R. Bennett . . . Mayor E. D. Griffin . . Clerk and Treasurer 

1921— O. R. Bennett . . . Mayor E. D. Griffin . . Clerk and Treasurer 

The city government was changed to city manager, and the fol¬ 
lowing have served: 

1922— Leroy Pharr . City Manager M. C. Edwards.Clerk 

1923— Leroy Pharr . City Manager M. C. Edwards.Clerk 

1924— Leroy Pharr . City Manager M. C. Edwards.Clerk 

1925— M. C. Edwards, City Manager Lois Nixon .Clerk 

1926— M. C. Edwards, City Manager Lois Nixon .Clerk 

1927— M. C. Edwards, City Manager Lois Nixon .Clerk 

1928— M. C. Edwards, City Manager Lois Nixon .Clerk 

1929— M. C. Edwards, City Manager Lois Nixon .Clerk 

1930 — M. C. Edwards, City Manager Lois Nixon .Clerk 

1931— M. C. Edwards, City Manager Ruth Coleman.Clerk 

1932— M. C. Edwards, City Manager Ruth Coleman.Clerk 


















THE LATE JUDGE C. B. MURRELL, 

A pioneer of Eastman, and one of its most prominent citizens. He was a 
Confederate veteran from South Carolina. For many years Justice 
of Peace, and a large property owner in Eastman. 








Early Marriages 


49 


EARLY MARRIAGES—1871-1889. 

David Wright and Mary B. Evins, April 6, 1871, by James J. Rogers, N. P. 
Dandy Streat and Amey Willcox, April 10, 1871, by John Ryals, J. P. 

Samuel Williams and Martha Moore, May 21, 1871, by J. J. Rogers, N. P. 

John Rawlins and Susan Jane Bowen, May 18, 1871, by R. E. Mills, M. G. 
Henry Jones and Sealy Cobb, August 21, 1871, by John Ryals, J. P. 

John J. Sellers and Penny Harrell, November 26, 1871, by Willis Duhart, Min. 
Harry Knuckles and Mary Coffee, November 19, 1871, by Willis Duhart, Min. 
John W. Evans and Elmirah Bohannon, Sept. 27, 1871, by G. R. McCall, M. G. 
Charley Jones and Milly Ann Seal, August 30, 1871, by J. S. Thompson M. G. 
B. W. Harrell and M. L. Nicholson, October 5, 1871, by John J. Rozar, N. P. 
L. L. Hargrove and Elizabeth Hamilton, November 23, 1871, by John A. Har¬ 
rell, J. P. 

J. D. Parkerson and Vina Livingston, April 27, 1871, by John A. Harrell, J. P. 
H M. Giddens and Mary Jane Thompson, December 24, 1871, by J. J. Rozar, 
N. P. 

H. S. Danforth and Sallie Reas, December 21, 1871, by J. J. Rozar, N. P. 
Isaac Wright and Sabra Cadwell, January 7, 1872, by John A. Harrell, J. P. 
James Holder and Appy Smith, December 23, 1871, by Robt. E, Mills, M. G. 
John White and Christian Brown, January 4, 1872, by J. J. Rozar N. P. 
William Mixon and Nancy Conley, June 9, 1872, by John Ryals, J. P. 

William Cason and Sarah White January 8, 1872, by A. L. Burch, N. P. 

John L. English and Dona Davis, May 5, 1872, by H. L. Barron, N. P. 

John May and Rebecca Ann Johnson February 25, 1872, by Duncan Graham, 
N. P.—Telfair County. 

Orin Miller and Martha Hanley, May 21, 1872. by David Buchan, J. P. 
William D. Swain and Martha Womble, November 3, 1872, by Martin Harvard, 
M. G. 

Duncan Graham and Jane Warren, November 5, 1872, by John S. Thompson, 
M. G. 

Toney Stanley and Fanny Rogers, November 17, 1872, by L. M. Peacock. N. P. 
Henning Parkerson and Nancy Fulghum, September 26, 1872, by Martin 
Howard, M. G. 

J. J. Horton and S. J. Whigham, September 5, 1872, by L. M. Peacock, N. P. 
Cullen Rogers and Missuria Giddeon, September 5, 1872, by John S. Thomp¬ 
son, M. G. 

Isaac F. Parker and Amy Pervis December 13, 1872, by J. T. Kinchen, M. G. 
George W. Myers and Mary A. (name not legible), December 25,, 1872, by J. 
W. Rozar, J. P. 

John Graham and Caroline Harrell, December 5, 1872, by John S. Thompson, 
M. G. 

Jackson Swain and Margaret Gramble, November 14, 1872, by Martin Howard, 
M. G. 

Hiram Daniel and Ann Brown, December 8, 1872, by Robt. E. Mills, M. G. 
John E. Barnett and Emma Attaway, December 9. 1872, by L. A. Darsey, M. G. 

William Smith and Sarah Watson, January 12, 1873, by R. L.J. P. 

B. H. Harrell and M. 0. Mitchell, January 21, 1873, by Lewis H. Harrell, N. P. 


50 


History of Dodge County 


W. F. Poole and Lucinda Grisly, December 22, 1872, by Jas. W. Rozar, J. P. 

Hugh Taylor and Mary Rogers, January 30, 1873, by R. E. Mills, M. G. 

James Rutherford and Elizabeth Holt, November 6, 1872, by Lewis H. Har¬ 
rell, N. P. 

Axom Phillips and Sarenny Nicholson, February 27, 1873, by Jas. W. Rozar, 
J. P. 

Sampson Lene and Nancy Harrell, March 13, 1873, by John S. Thompson, M. G. 

Chapel Boutwell and Armidia Clements, March 26, 1873, by John S. Thomp¬ 
son, M. G. 

Duncan S. McClean and Liza J. McLeod, April 24, 1873, by R. E. Mills, M. G. 

Steven J. Pool and Sarah J. Grimsley, December 15, 1872, by Y. W. Horgan, 
N. P. 

Marshall Oneal and Delia Cook, July 20, 1873, by Jack Fordham, M. G. 

Henry Fletcher and Gassey Bassell, July 6, 1873, by Willis Duhart, M. G. 

Joseph W. Phillips and Mary F. Douglas, May 8, 1873, by Jas. W. Rozar, J. P. 

William Rogers and Elizabeth Rogers, May 14, 1873, by Jas. W. Rozar, J. P. 

James Arthur and Helen Willcox, June 1, 1873. 

Elias Johns and Kiziah E. T. Rogers, May 18, 1873. 

J. J. Bohannon and Dillice Smith, June 8, 1873. 

Joseph Hendrix and Eliza Davis, August 3, 1873, by D. J. Thompson, M. G. 

Martin Livingston and Mersholin Smith, September 25, 1873, by Geo. W. 
Walker, J. P. 

Malcom McCranie and Mary Williams, August 7, 1873, by W. K. Bussey, 
N. P., J. P. 

Noah Daniel and Elizabeth Gilstrop, November 11, 1873, by J. T. Hughes, M. G. 

Elbert Lewis and Allis Younk, November 8, 1873, by John Brown, M. G. 

J. D. McCormick and Marandy Parker, October 24. 1873, by W. K. Bussey, 
Ex.-Of. N. P. 

Arthur C, Pope and Awatha C, Foster, November 13, 1873, by H. C. Hornady, 
M. G. 

James J. Baker and M. C. Johnson, November 19, 1873 by D. W. Fann, M. G. 

Samuel Staton and Leugenia Fullwood, December 25, 1873, by Jackson Ford- 
ham, M. G. 

William H. Davis and Anna Floyd, January 1, 1874 by D. N. Fann, M. G. 

Richard Johnson and Nancy Willcox, January 22, 1874, by John Brown, M. G. 

William W. Davis and Elizabeth Vickery, May 28, 1873. 

J. M. Woodard and M. E. Sapp, March 4, 1874, by R. C. Mills, M. G. 

W. J. A. Beachom and Lucy C. Shannon, January 15, 1874, by John S. Thomp¬ 
son. M. G. 

John Davis and Nancy J. Buchan, January 20, 1874, by D. W. Fann, M. G. 

Joah L. Horne and Harriet E. Nobles, November 15, 1873 by W. S. Wither- 
ington, J. P. 

William Coalmon and Mary Coalmon, March 8, 1874, by G. W. Walker, J. P. 

James E. Rozar and Canelis Goode, April 20, 1874, by John Brown, M. G. 

Cullen Rogers and Millyan Burnam, December 28, 1873, by John Ryals, J. P. 

M. Mixon and Susan Jump, November 1, 1873, by John Ryals, J. P. 


Early Marriages 


51 


David H . (not legible) and C. Lucindia Faircloth, May 10, 1873, by 

W. H. Witherington. J. P. 

W. J. Wright and Gresy Swain, June 2, 1874, by W. K. Bussey, N. P.. Ex. Of. 

J. P. 

J. H. Evans and Mary Coalmon, February 20, 1874, by G. W. Walker, J. P. 

T. S. Griffin and Mary Clements, May 15, 1874, by J. T. Hughes, M. G. 

D. D. Coward and Adelin Eastman, May 10, 1874, by J. T. Hughes, M. G. 
Thomas S. Willcox and Sarah E. Hamilton, May 6, 1874, by J. T. Hughes, M. G. 
Z. Hutto and Elizabeth Smith, April 26, 1874, by T. M. Stewart, J. P. 

William I. Coleman and Anniebell Rogers, March 10, 1875, by James W. 
Rogers, J. P. 

Henry Clark and Ann McRae, March 1, 1874, by John Ryals, J. P. 

Guilford Bishop and Mariah Brown, February 21, 1874, by John Brown, M. G. 
Jack Fordham and Maryan Moss, March 16, 1874, by John Brown, M. G. 

Eli Dennis and Martha Harrell, December 10, 1871, by Daniel Brown, M. G. 
Joseph Redmond and Nancy Juhart, November 4 1871, by Daniel Brown, M. G. 
James A. Allen and Mary Jane Rogers, July 16, 1874, by W. J. Baker, M. G. 
George Jump and Corsey Stephenson, July 20, 1874, by John W. Coffee, J. P. 
Neal Studstill and Lucy Reaves, August 21, 1874, by D. C. Sweetmin, M. G. 
Joseph Mullis and Elizabeth Graham, September 13, 1874, by L. M. Peacock, 
N. P.. J. P. 

John Hilliard and Roxey McArthur, August 20, 1874, by John Ryals, J. P. 

G. J. Peacock and Mary Phillips, November 22, 1874, by John S. Thompson, 

M. G. 

Francis M. Harrell and Lidia Rawlins, October 21, 1874, by T. M. Stewart, 

N. P., J. P. 

William A. Boutwell and Sarah Sheffield, October 13, 1874, by G. W. Walker, 

J. P. 

J. L. Bohannon and Phelicia Livingston, October 14, 1874, by G. W. Walker, 
J. P. 

W. N. Leitch and Jane F. Woodruff, December 16, 1874, by J. T. Hughes M. G. 
John J. Moore and Harriet Wilkins, October 14, 1874, by G. J. Tripp, J. P. 
William J. Bailey and Eliza C, Livingston, October 29, 1874, by G. W. Walker, 

J. P. 

Thomas McLeod and Rebecca Hilliard, November 8, 1874, by Phillip Reaves, 
M. G. 

Tillman Woodard and Priscilla Plum, December 2, 1874, by Warren McMil¬ 
lan, M. G. 

Daniel C. Cravey and S. Dixon, October 6, 1874, by D. F. Bray, M. G. 

A. T. Coleman and S. C, Coleman, November 5, 1874, by G. W. Walker, J. P. 
Geo. Bowen and Jane McGriff, December 23, 1874, by R. C. Miller, M. G. 
William Rayfield and Frances Peacock, January 7, 1875, by John S. Thomp¬ 
son, M. G. 

John McLeod and P. Reaves, December 13, 1874, by D. E. Horton, M. G. 
Daniel Livingston and Mary Mullis, February 11, 1875, by G. W. Walker, J. P. 
Frank Almond and Penny Whitehead, January 25, 1875, by Phillip Reaves, 
M. G. 



52 


History of Dodge County 


Horton McCranie and Mary Burch, January 12, 1875, by Phillip Reaves, M. G. 
Stephen Law and Sarah Simmons, December 24, 1874, by T. M. Stewart, J. P. 
James M. Lancaster and Catherine Dent, April 6, 1875, by L. M. Peacock, J. P. 
Duke Mullis and F. Sandiford, April 6, 1875, by L. M. Peacock, J. P. 

John N. Mullis and Sarah Mi. Thompson, June 20, 1875, by G. W. Walker, J. P. 
Wm. F. Swearingame and Catherine M. Fields, October 29, 1874, by G. J. 
Tripp, J. P. 

Daniel Ryals and Caroline Studstill, February 15, 1875, by P. Reaves, M. G. 

Emanuel McDuffie and Ella Dewhart, April 30, 1875, by L. M. Peacock, J. P. 

Wm. Howard and Fannie Howard, May 6, 1875, by R. E. Mills, M. G. 

Richard Williams and Emma Jackson, August 5, 1875, by J. M. Woodard, J. P. 
Calvin Smith and Catherine Hart, December 23, 1875, by John Woodard, J. P. 
Wm. McRae and Rosa Willcox, December 26, 1875, by W. K. Bussey, J. P. 
Louis J. Coody and Martha J. Sewell, December 23, 1875, by Levi H. Harrell, 
J. P. 

W. B. Darsey and Sarah Peacock, December 2, 1875, by James Hartley, N. P. 

John Harrell and Isabel A. Bowen, October 14, 1875, by T. M. Stewart, N. P. 

Simon Morrison and Louisa Coffee, November 27, 1875, by John Brown, M. G. 
Charles Rogers and Carrie Fulghum, February 20, 1876, by L. M. Peacock, J. P. 
William Sheffield and Nancy Heath, February 13, 1876, by G. W. Walker, J. P. 
Charles Purvis and Eliza Ryals, February 24, 1876, by G. W. Walker, J. P. 

C. M. Gay and Julia Shannon,, January 8, 1876, by James Hinson, J. P. 

John Ryals and Roxey Coleman, August 22, 1875, by J. T. Kinchen, M. G. 
William D. Pool and Christian E. Buchan, February 4, 1876, by R. E. Mills, 
M. G. 

John T. Mullis and Catherine Thompson, February 3, 1876, by G. W. Walker, 
J. P. 

John W. Taylor and Sarah Cadwell, June 29, 1876, by N. F. Gay, J. P. 

James Sheffield and Martha Stevenson, July 6, 1876, by John W. Coffee, J. P. 
S. B. Moore and Sarah Evans, January 30, 1876, by J. M. Woodard, J. P. 

John V. Lamb and Mary Sheffield, February 21, 1876, by L. M. Peacock, J. P. 
John T. Roberts and Mary Jane Cobb, May 9, 1876, by L. M. Peacock, J. P. 
James H. Ward and Martha Jane Long, August 1, 1871, by W. J. Baker, M. G. 
Alfred Sumner and Elizabeth Campbell, January 23, 1876, by L. M. Peacock, 
J. P. 

Joseph Hodge and Mary Warren. Jhly 19, 1873, by W. J. Baker, M. G. 

John Register and Joannah Evans, May 14, 1876, by J. T. Kinchen, M. G. 
Thomas W. Weeks and Sarah E. Coffee, March 15, 1876, by W. M. C. Conley, 
M. G. 

Geo. W. Burch and Anna Jane Dennis, June 1, 1876, by G. W. Walker, J. P. 
Andrew J. Hargrove and Jane McCranie, March 16, 1876, by G. W. Walker, 
J. P. 

Thomas H. Dawson and Jennett Harrell, November 30, 1875, by W. J. Baker, 
M. G. 

Franklin Rutherford and Maransey Grimsley, April 4, 1871, by W. J. Baker, 
M. G. 

Melton Gore and Laura Sawyers, September 28, 1875, by W. J. Baker, M. G. 


Early Marriages 


53 


Andrew May and Rebecca Burch, July 31, 1876, by L. M. Peacock, J. P. 
Madison Kirkley and Sarah F. Rye, August 24,, 1876, by L. M. Peacock, J. P. 
William Fountain and Martha Livingston, October 1, 1876, by J. W. Green, 
M. G. 

S. B. Coody and Mary Wade, November 30, 1876, by J. M. Woodard, J. P. 
John W. Elks and Nancy Bennett, November 30, 1876, by John S. Thompson, 
M. G. 

E. D. Griffin and Maggie McDaniel, December 13, 1876, by John B. Bright, 
M. G. 

John T. Howell and Martha J. Peacock, August 11, 1876,. 

Miles Due and Mary Sims, February 4, 1876, by Lee London, M. G. 

John Kellam and Peggy Hamilton, December 2, 1876, by S. B. Buggs, M. G. 
James L. Hunt and Elizabeth Holder, November 12, 1876, by R. E. Mills, M. G. 
Heron R. Lowery and Elizabeth Regan, October 8, 1876, by R. E. Mills, M. G. 
Daniel Howell (or Harrell) and Amanda Scott, October 8, 1876, by Jack 
Fordham. 

J. J. Harrison and Emma Powell, November 22, 1876, by J. E. Rowe, M. G. 
Chas. M. Ragan and Ona Warren, February 1, 1877, by W. J. Baker, M. G. 
James D. Harrell and Nancy M. Studstill, December 20, 1876, by W. M. C. 
Conley, M. G. 

Wm. Dowdy and Mary Reaves, January 11, 1877, by John W. Coffee, J. P. 
John R. Giddens and Sempty C. Parkerson, April 12, 1877, by F. C. Waite. 

A. G. Williamson and Martha Jane Buchan, March 23, 1877, by L. M. Pea¬ 
cock, J. P. 

Joseph Faile and Sallie Lovett, April 14, 1877, by Lewis H. Harrell, J. P. 

John J. Harrell and Pherbia Hamilton, June 24, 1877, by J. E. Rorie, M. G. 
Robert Brown and Mary McRae, July 21, 1877, by Grip Cadwell. 

Christopher C. Horsford and Mary J. Graham, October 4, 1877, by Jas. Hart¬ 
ley, J. P. 

Lewis C. Burnham and Elizabeth Dowdy, March 29, 1877, by Phillip Reaves, 
M. G. 

Oliver Abraham and China Phillips, July 5, 1877, by John Brown, M. G. 
David W. Sapp and Isabella Holder, May 24, 1877, by R. E. Mills, M. G. 

John Register and Elizabeth Howell, May 21, 1877, by J. T. Kinchen, M. G. 
Richard Rye and Sarah Kirklin, March 27, 1877, by Eli F. Lee, J. P. 

James R. Giddens and Elizabeth Parkerson, March 16, 1877, by F. C. Waite. 
Ben Gady and Esther Hall, July 31, 1877, by E. F. Lee, J. P. 

Zack Davis and Mary Fordham, July 21, 1877, by W. M. C. Conley, M. G. 
Samuel T. Rodes and Harriet Yawn, June 11, 1877, by J. W. Tucker, J. P. 

Eli Frank Mullis and Jane S. Peacock, June 27, 1877, by J. S. Thompson, M. G. 
Jack Jones and Jane Stewart, July 21, 1877, by Griff Cadwell. 

Henry Mullis and Lucinda Mullis, December 31, 1876, by James Hartley, J. P. 
Len Williams and Elphey Coffee, October 6, 1877, by John Brown, M. G. 
Willey Strickland and Classey M. McCormick, October 18, 1877, by J. M. 
Woodard, N. P. 

Redding D. Rawlins and M. S. Studstill, September 20, 1877, by W. M. C. 
Conley, M. G. 


54 


History of Dodge County 


Thomas Atkins and Susan Burnham, October 7, 1877, by W. H. Studstill. 
Frederick Knight and Nancy Osburn, August 7, 1877, by Charlie Smith, J. P. 
Bill Bembry and Mary Harrell, July 8, 1877, by T. M. Stewart, N. P.. J. P. 
George W. Sheldon and Clara M. Futch, July 16, 1877, by A, E. Chandler, 
M. G. 

Henry Harper and Ann Engram, September 15, 1877, by E. D, Griffin, J. P. 
Richard Henderson and Hattie Webb, November 1, 1877, by W. Cary, M. G. 
William A. Ryals and Mary A. Barron, November 4, 1877, by B. F. Clark, 
Ex. Of. J. P. 

Simon D. Dupree and Rachel C. Davis, November 15, 1877, by J. M. Woodard, 
J. P. 

C. W. Culbreth and Margarite Evans, December 16, 1877, by E. F. Lee, J. P. 

J. T. Sanford and Emily Mullis, December 19, 1877, by W. W. Miles, M. G. 
John H. Hargrove and Mary V. McRae, December 19, 1877, by John M. Bright, 
M. G. 

W. K. Bussey and Mary C. Clark, December 20, 1877, by John E. Sentell, M. G. 
William Harrell and Eliza Willcox, January 3, 1878, by T. M. Stewart. J. P. 
W. L. Lee and Martha Bond, December 27, 1877, by A. E. Chandler, M. G. 

S. M. Daniels and| Martha J. Harrell, December 29, 1877, by T. M. Stewart, 

J. P. 

Allen A. McLeod and Sarah Reaves, January 6, 1878, by B. F. Clark, J. P. 
Cullen Rogers and Emmie Raffield, January 7, 1878, by W. W. Wiles, M. G. 
Geo. J. Baker and Mary E. Evans, January 15, 1878, by E. F. Lee, J. P. 
William A. Lowery and Queenan Warren, December 2, 1877, by Nathaniel 
Gay, M. G. 

Geo. W. Boutwell and F. T. G. Mullis, November 15, 1877, by J. S. Thomp¬ 
son, M. G. 

Robt. Powers and Angelina Catlett, February 14, 1878, by D. N. Fann, M. G. 
J. W. Taylor and Laura Ann Rogers, March 1, 1878, by E. F. Lee, J. P. 
James May and Elizabeth E. Livingston, March 7, 1878, by E. F. Lee. J. P. 
William Flanders and Nancy Parkerson, April 14,, 1878, by F. C. Waite, M. G. 
Thomas Barfield and Margaret Duhart, November 13, 1878, by Wm. Askew. 
John Woodard and Melissa Whitehead, October 27, 1888, by Jack Fordham, 
M. G. 

Geo. R. Lee and Katie Ware (or Wood or Ward), September 7, 1878, by E. 
F. Lee, J. P. 

Isaiah Jones and Elizabeth May, June 20, 1878, by James Hutto, J. P. 

John W. Woodard and Willie V. Raiford, October 13, 1878, by E. M. Whit¬ 
ing, M. G. 

Willie Roland and Faitha Nix, November 13, 1878, by J. S. Thompson, M. G. 
James Parkerson and Lola M. Livingston, November 14, 1878, by J. S. Thomp¬ 
son, M. G. 

John Ryals and Charlotta Purvis, November 27, 1878, by D. Seigler, M. G. 
Chester Coleman and Aliah Powell, December 23, 1878, by G. R. McCall, M. G. 
John Peacock and Lonie Rozar, December 21, 1878, by Wm. M. Miles, M. G. 
Lewis Lampkin and Esther Daniel, February 3, 1879, by John Brown, M. G. 
Cason Floyd and Jane Fordham, February 13 1879, by Jackson Fordham, M. G. 


Early Marriages 


55 


/ 

William S. Hamilton and Mary J. Brown, October 22, 1876, by W. J. Baker, 
M. G. 

W. H. Hopson and Susan Rogers, February 21, 1878, by W. J. Baker, M. G. 
J. H. Rogers and Sarah J. Forest, March 20, 1879, by W. K. Bussey, J. P. 
Levi Dunn and Lidia Ann Gladden, March 13, 1879, by W. K. Bussey, J. P. 
Jack Fulghum and Lucresey Cadwell, June 13, 1878, by W. K. Bussey, J. P. 
A. M. Rawlins and Martha Swearingame, July 4, 1872, by W. J. Baker, M. G. 
Lee Lamb and Mary Thompson, November 17, 1876, by W. J. Baker M. G. 
William D. Dorsey and Elizabeth Swearingame, October 24\ 1876, by W. J. 
Baker, M. G. 

E. Clark and Rachel Hendley, December 18, 1878, by John Bhown, M. G. 
Daniel Evans and Cinda Sapp, July 10, 1878, by E. F. Lee, J. P. 

Wm. A. Cooper and Nancy Lee, April 24, 1879, by D. Kelsey, M. G. 

J. T. Lee and Neppie Coffee, May 1, 1879, by W. F. Bearden, M. G. 

Thomas P. Haupt and Martha Williams, August 12, 1877, by J. W. Tucker, 
J. P. 

W. D. McArthur and Sabra Yawn, February 21, 1878, by J. W. Tucker, J. P. 

C. C. Horne and Nancy Ann Cadwell, April 14, 1878, by J. W. Tucker, J. P. 
Lonidas Clinton and Anna E. Jones, May 18, 1879, by J. W. Tucker, J. P. 
Samuel Powell and Martha Norris, December 27, 1877, by J. W. Tucker, J. P. 
William Defore and Nancy Floyd, April 13, 1879, by John C. Thompson, J. P. 
Joseph D. Taylor and Louisa Brown, April 12, 1879. 

D. J. Johnson and Liny Crawford, April 26, 1877, by Seaser Way, M. G. 
Green Sawyer and Nancy Williams, May 15, 1879, by John C. Thompson, J. P. 
Frederick Taiber and Emma Materne, January 31, 1879, by Wm. McRae, N. P., 

J. P. 

John Clements and Mary Howell (or Harrell), October 9, 1879, by J. S. 
Thompson, M. G. 

Wiley Blount and Henrietta Blackshear, April 27, 1879, by Robt. Burch. 

Geo. Mitchell and Emma Holt, September 25, 1879, by James Johnson. 

J. H. Collins and Cornelius Daniels, December 28, 1879, by Levi H. Harrell, 
J. P. 

John Fells and Ann Pickett, May 3, 1879, by John Brown, D.D. 

Roberson Rogers and Elizabeth Norris, May 8, 1879, by J. W. Tucker, J. P. 

R. E. Wishart and Annie F. Hargrove, April 2, 1879, by D. Kelsey, M. G. 
Wootson Parker and S. S. J. Holon, January 15, 1879, by B. F. Clark, Ex. 
Of. J. P. 

Noah Howell and Elizabeth Edge, January 5, 1879, by John S. Thompson, M. G. 
James D. Reeves and Katie McLeod, January 26, 1879, by B. F. Clark, Ex. 
Of. J. P. 

Jesse McDuffie and Julia Fletcher, January 25, 1880, by Thos. Willcox, N. P., 
Ex. Of. J. P. 

Llarry Bailey and Penny Howell, December 11, 1879, by John Brown, M. G. 
Moses Smith and Rachel Floyd, October 16, 1879, by Wm. Askew, M. G. 
Noah Chavis and Alice J. Moore, November 21, 1879, by Wm. Coney, M. G. 

T. M. Bennett and Caroline Thompson, December 11, 1879, by D. E. Greene, 
M. G. 


56 


History of Dodge County 


David W. Bowen and Sarah Posey, March 25, 1879, by B. F. Clarke, J. P. 

E. A. Jones and Eliza C. Mullis, April 11, 1880, by J. N. Noble, M. G. 

Syls Pool and Sabra Howalson, February 15, 1880, by W. K. Bussey, J. P. 

J. W. Coleman and Charlotte Burch, February 5, 1880, by W. K. Bussey, J. P. 
Arch Smith and Alice Johnson, April 21, 1881, by J. W. Tucker, J. P. 

Robt. May and Nancy M. Willis, October 12, 1880, by E. F. Lee, J. P. 

H. J. Sapp and Mollie Humphries, January 9, 1881, by E. F. Lee, J. P. 

James McCranie and Sarah Pickren, June 6, 1880, by W. H. Studstill, N. P-, 
J. P. 

John Cadwell and Neweyan A. Burch, January 6, 1881, by C. C. Horne, M. G. 
David Haywood and Claskey Dillard, September 9, 1880, by Levi H. Harrell, 
J. P. 

William E. Walker and Emma L. Burch, May 12, 1880, by B. F. Clark, N. P., 
J. P. 

Eligy Butler and Betsy Harrell, May 2, 1880, by E. F. Lee, J. P. 

Durkin C. Dairels and Nancy J. Sapp, October 2, 1878, by Levi H. Harrell, 
J. P. 

Henry Ryals and Louisa Johnson, November 7, 1880, by E. F. Lee, J. P. 

S. C. Evans and Laura Davis, April 9, 1880, by W. K. Bussey, N. P., J. P. 
Wiley Cobb and Susan Strong, October 3, 1880, by J. J. Rozar, Ordinary. 
Franklin Mullis and Faithus Brooks, September 12, 1880, by D. E. Green, M. G. 
Bart Coleman and Mary Taylor, October 14, 1880, by J. T. Kinchen, M. G. 

A. T. Cadwell and Mary C. Berryhill, June 5, 1880, by M. Sikes, M. G. 

Frank Bowden and Catherine Lester, September 16, 1880, by Wm. Theirp, M. G. 
William W. Hutto and Rebecca A. Lock, March 3, 1881, by Sami. H. Clark, 
M. G. 

John Baker and Edy Patrick, April 17, 1881. by E. F. Lee, J. P. 

S. T. Jones and Martha E. Warren, November 4, 1880, by J. T. Kinchen, M. G. 
Dave Sanders and Sallie Fulton, May 7, 1881, by C. C. Horne, M. G. 

Jiles Smith and Emma Rutherford, May 29, 1881, by C. C. Horne, M. G. 

A. J. Coffee and Carrie Futch, April 28, 1881, by J. S. Thompson, M. G. 

Wm. H. Small and Michael Willcox, March 10, 1881, by E. F. Lee, J. P. 
Jasper Roland and Mattie Briggs, March 3, 1881, by John Ross, M. G. 

John Hall and Pheby Miller, October 1, 1881, by J. S. Thompson, M. G. 

Simon Morrison and Sallie Roberson, December 28, 1881, by Wm. Tharpe, 
M. G. 

J. B. Weeks and Victoria Powell, May 23, 1881, by C. C. Horne, M. G. 

Henry Moore and Jane Hendley, September 16, 1881, by John Brown, M. G. 
Peter McKinnis and Sallie Hollingsworth, March 10, 1881, by R. M. Lanier, 
M. G. 

Harry Willcox and Liza Clark, February 27, 1881, by R. N. Lanier, M. G. 
James Jefferson and Charlotte Moore, December 7, 1881, by E. F. Lee, J. P. 
Jiles Bryant and Jennie Bacon, October 9, 1881, by E. F. Lee, J. P. 

Benj. T. Moore and Polly Cason, November 20, 1881, by E. F. Lee, J. P. 
James W. Flanders and Sophia Sheffield, November 24, 1881, by E. F. Lee, J. P. 
David W. Darden and Janie Jessup, January 18, 1882, by Geo. C. Thompson, 
M. G. 


Early Marriages 


57 


John Powell and Mary J. Wright, September 18, 1881, by P. E. Grimstead, 

M. G. 

Jos. Evans and Lucinda Lasley, September 27, 1881, by E. F. Lee, J. P. 

Geo. W. Wilkerson and Sarah Mullis, September 25, 1881, by E. F. Lee, J. P. 
Ed. Thomas and Martha Willcox, June 18,, 1881, by Thos. Willcox, J. P. 

Jack Saturday and Rebecca Sheffield, October 20, 1881, by E. F. Lee, J. P. 
Reuben Yawn and Shelley Livingston, October 23, 1881, by E. F. Lee, J. P. 
Chas. W. Faulk and Lizzie Davis, April 9, 1881, by I. Coachman, M. G. 

J. W. Collins and Martha J. Prince,, November 13, 1881, by E. F. Lee, J. P. 
Ed. Wilson and Sallie E. Barnett, January 30, 1881, by E. F. Lee, J. P. 

C. W. Rawlins and Rosella J. Rogers, June 15, 1881, by W. J. Baker, M. G. 
John R. Jones and Sarah J. Harrell, November 14, 1880, by J. N. Noble, M. G. 
Richard Peacock and B. Giddens, October 3. 1880, by Wm. Miles, M. G. 

Jack Noles and Ella Butler, February 12, 1881, by E. F. Lee, J. P. 

J. K. P. Mullis and Nancy Jones, September 2, 1881, by E. F. Lee, J. P. 

Wm. B. Giddens and Janie Relaford, by Jr.o. C. Tharpe, N. P., J. P. 
Nothen Singleton and Georgian Peacock, December 10, 1880, by Jno. C. 
Thompson, N. P., J. P. 

Daniel W. Floyd and Hattie Rawlins, June 30, 1881, by Jno. C. Thompson, 

N. P., J. P. 

Jesse Harrell and Rosa Taylor, May 20, 1880, by E. F. Lee, J. P. 

F. D. Cobia and Fanny McCoy, June 29, 1880, by J. S. Thompson, M. G. 
Charles Williams and Classey Fordham, December 16, 1879, by Jack Ford- 
ham, M. G. 

John Swearingame and Missey Defoe, January 17, 1880, by J. C. Thompson, 
N. P., J. P. 

Reuben Paul and Mary Ann Edge, August 13, 1880, by J. S. Thompson, M. G. 
Geo. F. Harrell and Missey J. Rogers, February 8, 1880, by J. C. Thompson, 
N. P., J. P. 

J. R. Booth and Ada Ashley, December 29, 1881 by P. A. Jessup, M. G. 

Silas Willcox and Aggie Ryals, January 19, 1882, by P. Reaves, M. G. 

James D. Black and Ruth Ann Georgia Mullis, September 7, 1881, by E. F. 
Lee, J. P. 

Ira B. Wentz and Francis W. Hobbs, January 11, 1882, by D'. M. Fann, M. G. 
Needham Sheffield and Mary Howard, December 21, 1882, by C. C. Horne, 
M. G. 

Benj. B. Wiggs and Virginia L. Harrell, October 9, 1881, by P. A. Jessup, M. G. 
Wm. T. Betts and Georgia L. Bohannon, September 6, 1881, by H. R. Felder, 
M. G. 

John J. Phillips and Noma F. Parks, November 2, 1881, by W. J. Baker, M. G. 
Edward Evans and Elizabeth Relford, December 4, 1881, by E. F. Lee, J. P. 
Wright Sheffield and Jane Flanders, October 23, 1881, by E. F. Lee, J. P. 

Joe Clayton and Emily Hall, June 5, 1881, by D. C. Daniel, N. P., J. P. 

Isaac Withers and Sarah Buttersworth, November 13, 1881, by E. F. Lee, J. P. 
Needham Rogers and Leathy Sheffield, November 7, 1881, by E. F. Lee, J. P. 
John Sheffield and Mary E. Raiford, December 15, 1881, by E. F. Lee, J. P. 

J. A. Smith and Mollie Bush, December 16, 1882, by E. F. Lee, J. P. 


58 


History of Dodge County 


James M. Chance and Mary Arnold, March 23, 1882, by E. F. Lee, J. P. 
Henry Crummy and Lou Gordon, April 22, 1882, by James Johnson M. G. 

R. E. Southerland and Mary Evans, June 14, 1882, by P. A. Jessup, M. G. 
John B. Johnson and Laura McGee, December 10, 1881, by E. F. Lee, J. P. 
Jacob Matthews and Milley Cotton, February 7, 1882, by E. F. Lee, J. P. 

Sam Roberson and Angeline Freeman, February 15, 1882, by E. F. Lee, M. G. 
John J. Rogers and Alice Nicholson, January 18, 1882, by W. J. Baker, M. G. 

C. M. Johnson and Susa Evans, May 16, 1882, by E. F. Lee, J. P. 

Geo. W. Evans and M. E. Stewart, December 26, 1882, by E. F. Lee, J. P. 
Cornelius Marshall and Mollie Willcox, February 9, 1882, by Levi H. Har¬ 
rell, J. P. 

Bill Hill and Annie Hamilton, June 16, 1882, by R. E. Mills, M. G. 

Ripley Rowland and Axie Ann Mullis, August 17, 1882, by James Hartley, 

J. P. 

Charlie Grimsley and Bettie Horne, August 27, 1882, by John Pears, M. G. 
John A. Surmons and M. F. Lowe, November 6, 1882, by D. J. Dreary, J. P. 
Elsie Owen Black and Sarah Elizabeth Mullis, September 21, 1882, by P. A. 
Jessup, M. G. 

Lewis Fausky and Martha Evans, May 15, 1882, by J. S. Thompson, N. P., 
J. P. 

Mason L. Davis and Maggie Davis, September 20, 1882, by P. A. Jessup, M. G. 
A. W. T. Weeks and D. S. Norris, October 4, 1882, by G. W. Culbreth, M. G. 
Jacob Livingston and Mary Martin, September 7, 1882, by C. J. Jones, N. P.. 
J. P. 

Charles Rye and Mary Estis, August 26, 1882, by G. W. Culbreth, M. G. 

D. Lowe and Lidda Peacock, February 3, 1881, by J. C. Thompson, J. P. 
Steven J. Mitchell and Liddie Miller, August 20, 1882, by Thos. Willcox, J. P. 
William Davis and Mary Jane Brown, November 19, 1882, by Geo. C. Thomp¬ 
son, M. G. 

J. D. Hamilton and Fannie H. Edwards, January 31, 1883. 

Samuel Calhoun and Elizabeth Mullis, March 13, 1883, by E. F. Lee, J. P. 
Sigipond Harris and Fannie B. Herrman, February 27, 1883, by I. Sawyer, 
M. G. 

Thomas G. Evans and Emma Moore, February 4, 1883, by P. A. Jessup, M. G. 
John Johnson and Rose Cook, December 15, 1882, by Thos. Willcox, N. P. 

Wm. J. Woodard and Susan E. Roland, February 11, 1883, by G. W. Cul¬ 
breth, M. G. 

George E. Martin and Matilda J. Boutwell, February 22, 1883, by C. C. 
Horne, M. G. 

Thomas Maffett and Emma Anderson, October 15, 1883, by Jas. Johnson, M. G. 
W. B. Coleman and Mary L. Browning, February 8, 1883, by D. Siegler. 

D. W. Myers and Samantha Flanders, March 8, 1883, by C. C. Horne, M. G. 
Jas. R. Powell and Annie Acree, March 28, 1883, by J. R. Crowder, M. G. 
Squire Burch and Amanda Allen, March 4, 1883, by Jack Fordham, M. G. 
Martin Rogers and Rachel Saturday, April 8, 1883, by P. S. Jones, J. P. 

E. A. Bell and Minnie Williams, February 10, 1883, by Thos. S. Willcox, J. P. 


Early Marriages 


59 


Bryant Sheffield and Norah Joiner, February 22, 1883, by Thos. S. Willcox 

J. P. 

Cheff Robertson and Francis Wilson, December 23, 1882, by Thos. S Willcox, 
J. P. 

Preston Powell and Sarah Matthews, July 15, 1883, by E. F. Lee, J. P. 

John A. Harrell and Sallie Grimes, July 18, 1883, by E. F. Lee, J. P. 

James A. Chester and Susan Chester, April 7, 1883, by J. A. Grant, M. G. 
James W. Williams and Sarah Burch, May 3, 1883. 

Richard Williams and Amanda Williams, January 24, 1883, by R. E. Mills, 
M. G. 

J. H. Bazemore and Mollie E. Brown, April 5, 1883, by P. A. Jessup, M. G. 
Peter Joiner and Angeline Riverson, May 23,, 1883, by W. S. Moore, M. G. 

G. B. Andrews and M. E. Daughtry, March 25, 1883, by P. A. Jessup, M. G. 
J. J. Cravey and Martha Jones, November 1, 1883, by R. M. Booth, M. G. 

Joel Mullis and Mollie Dillard, January 14, 1883, by J. S. Thompson, M. G. 
Matthew Sewell and Mary J. Holt, January 17, 1884, by E. F. Lee, J. P. 
Thomas Miles and Annie B. Buchan, December 10, 1882, by J. S. Thompson, 
M. G. 

Charles Ramage and Louisa Rozar, December 23, 1882, by Reuben Lanier, 
M. G. 

Henry Cooper and Martha Ann M. Dowdy, December 28, 1882, by W. H. 
Studstill, J. P. 

William R. Binkley and Fannie Weldy(?), December 14, 1882, by J. S. 
Thompson, M. G. 

George Hall and Hagar Bell, February 26, 1883, by D. G. Welson, M. G. 

John Buchan and Sarah Evans, November 26, 1881, by J. S. Thompson, M. G. 
T. G. B. Law and Elizabeth Reaves, May 14, 1882, by T. G. B. Law, M. G. 
King Whitehead and Laura Dunn, November 3, 1882. 

L. B. Craig and Mary Jane Glover, December 3, 1882, by J. S. Thompson, M. G. 
A. L. Moore and Hattie Brown, July 9, 1882. 

Walkin Lewis and Lou Jane Statam, March 25, 1882. 

Amos Smith and Dollie Armstrong, June 3, 1882, by Jack Fordham, M. G. 

G. F. Harrison and Mary Bishop, May 21, 1878, by E. M. Whiting, M. G., M. 
E., C. S. 

Ebenezer Taylor and Harriet Fosker, May 28, 1882. 

Frank Wise and Mandy Brown, September 26, 1882, by Reuben Lanier, M. G. 
James Young and Harriet Bentley, September 3, 1882, by J. B. Smith, M. G. 

M. E. Bowen and Leah McDaniel, December 7, 1882. 

Marian Stone and Sarah Raifield, October 13, 1882, by J. S. Thompson, M. G. 
Jesse Rogers and Louiza Anderson, November 18, 1883, by P. J. Jones, J. P. 
J. D. Peacock and Ella M. Ashburn, November 15, 1883, by P. A. Jessup, 
M. G. 

A. B. Young and Lonedy Harrell, September 2, 1883, by A. Curry, J. P. 
Burton Dennis and Nancy Peacock, November 29, 1883, by C. J. Jones, J. P. 
Oscar Hill and Ann Hardin, December 29, 1884, by D. G. Wilson, M. G. 

E. C. Newton and D. V. Leanson, December 16, 1883, by J. T. Kinchen, M. G. 
C. J. Morgan Clark and W. T. Massey, June 17, 1883, by S. H. Cooke, M. G. 


60 


History of Dodge County 


Jack Tillman and Caroline Coon, December 27, 1883, by James Johnson, M. G. 
Cornelius Williams and Nancy Buchan, December 26, 1883, by Stephen Mc- 
Griff, M. G. 

V. Whitington and Alice Moore, January 21, 1883, by W. M. Miles, M. G. 
Washington Simpson and Mary Clark, January 23, 1884, by E. F. Lee, J. P. 

W r . H. McCranie and Lou Genie Powell, January 10, 1884, by C. C. Horne, 

M. G. 

S. W. Swinson and E. A, Peacock, January 30, 1884, by D. E. Greene, M. G. 

W. J. Alton and Mattie Sawyers, January 28, 1884, by A. Curry, J. P. 

W. M. Coley and Landy Taylor, February 6, 1884, by E. F. Lee, J. P. 

W. H. Buchannan and S. E. M. Coleman, February 17, 1884, by E. F. Lee, J. P. 
D. J. Bowen and Mary E. Blanks, August 9, 1883, by J. S. Thompson, M. G. 
John T. Coleman (or Cadwell) and Fannie Williams, February 14, 1884, by 
E. F. Lee, J. P. 

William J. Quillin and Catherine L. Edge, November 22, 1883, by J. S. Thomp¬ 
son, M. G. 

Aaron Lister and Mary James, March 6, 1884, by Thad Wilson, M. G. 

D. W. Smith and A. Harrison, January 10, 1884, by P. A. Jessup, M. G. 
Charley Redding and Amanda Yarborough, March 30, 1884, by Isham Parker, 
M. G. 

Henry Harrell and Jane Bishop, March 30, 1884, by Isham Parker, M. G. 
Primus Moody and Sarah Clark, April 3, 1884, by D. G. Wilson, M. G. 

Amos Jefferson and Alice Lowe, July 25, 1882, by E. F. Lee, J. P. 

L W. Evans and Alice Dillard, March 26, 1884, by E. F. Lee, J. P. 

John Rogers and Cherryan White, February 6, 1884. 

W. L. Parkerson and Samantha E. Taylor, May 22, 1884, by C. J. Jones, J. P. 
Benj. Rowland and Nancy Yawn, April 17, 1884, by John Ross, M. G. 

H. C. Tarver and Pearla Paul, July 17, 1884, by H. C. Brewton, M. G. 

Jack Fletcher and Annie Persie, May 8, 1884, by T. S. Willcox, J. P. 

Murdock Bryan and Ann Eliza Coffee, June 5, 1884, by T. S. Willcox, J. P. 

W. H. Andrews and M. I. Skelton, August 28, 1884. 

Simeon Lewis and Chaney Nelson, September 7, 1884, by Isham Parker, M. G. 
Charlie A. Henderson and Eliza J. Jones, September 30, 1884, by C. J. Jones, 
J. P. 

William Ryals and Mary Gladden, May 8, 1884, by J. W. Culbreth, M. G. 
William Myers and Queen Alice Livingston, September 23, 1884, by J. S. 
Thompson, M. G. 

Charlie Williams and Martha Bivins, November 29, 1884, by R. N. Lanier, 
M. G. 

John J. Hobbs and C. J. Jackson, November 27, 1884, by J. W. Green, M. G. 
Joel Horne and Mary E. Jump, November 27, 1884, by M. A. Lancaster, J. P. 
Stinson Rowland and Martha Yawn, June 12, 1884,, by John Ross, M. G. 

Sam Parker and Mary Roberts, December 13, 1884, by I. S. Parker, M. G. 
Ephraim Yawn and Fannie Moore (or Ware), September 10, 1884, by A. 
Curry, J. P. 

William J. Davis and Nancy Stone, October 9, 1884, by P. A. Jessup, M. G. 
Henry Sutton and Sallie Fagan, September 14, 1884, by W. T. Betts, J. P. 


Early Marriages 


61 


Geo. Currell, Jr., and Annie R. Hamilton, November 9, 1884, by J. L. Bush, 
M. G. 

Jefferson Baker and H. E. Evans, December 10, 1884, by E. F. Lee, J. P. 
James B. Mitchell and Mrs. Mary Russell, February 11, 1885, by W. McKay, 
M. G. 

Robt. McNeal and Georgian J. Smith, November 27, 1884, by Isham Parker, 
M. G. 

Allen D. McLean and E. M. Roberts, April 30, 1885, by J. C. Ryals, J. P. 
James Ryals and Sarah F. Gladden, July 6, 1877, by John Ryals, J. P. 

Dave Reaves and Patsy Hall, December 27, 1882, by John Rogers, J. P. 

Robt. Shackleford and Emma Matthews, May 6, 1885, by A. Curry, J. P. 
Haywood Stephens and Hattie Ray, May 6, 1885, by A. Curry, J. P. 

Caleb Buchan and Jane Willcox, December 18, 1882, by John Ryals, J. P. 

J. B. Coffee and Charlotte Burch, March 19, 1885, by R. D. Gentry, M. G. 
Benj. Sheffield, Jr., and Ellen C. Peacock, September 18, 1884, by C. J. Jones, 
J. P. 

James Girtman and Mary Bass, April 23, 1885, by J. M. Arthur, J. P. 

Edward Kelley and DeQuilla Moore, January 17, 1885, by John Brown, M. G. 
Joseph Walker and Bettie McRae, October 19, 1884, by Charlie McRae, M. G. 
J. H. Thompson and Virginia Rozar, January 1, 1885, by W. M. Mills, M. G. 

J. J. Mullis and M. L. Mullis, November 23, 1884, by C. J. Jones, J. P. 

John Crawford and Sarah Altman, December 25, 1884, by A. Curry, J. P. 

J. M. Veal and Sabra Watson, February 22, 1885, by J. T. Kinchen, M. G. 

N. H. Willcox and Maggie Bowen, September 4, 1884, by T. S. Willcox, J. P. 
John L. Harrell and Roxie Bohannon, November 30, 1884, by P. A. Jessup, 
M. G. 

James Whitehead and Mary J. Reaves, December 28, 1884, by Phillip Reaves, 
M. G. 

Enoch Bullard and Flora Burch, December 11, 1884, by J. T. Kinchen, M. G. 
Ashley Young and Octavia Allen, October 6, 1884, by John Brown, M. G. 

Jerry Harrell and Milly Ann Harrell, November 15, 1884, by E. M. Johnson,. 
M. G. 

Oscar Perry and Sarah Fletcher, April 4, 1885, by A. N. Powell, J. P. 

William Deffinal and Julia Rogers, October 23, 1884, by P. A. Jessup, M. G. 
Orren Ryals and Janie Dunn, November 20, 1884, by G. W. Culbreth, M. G. 
Jefferson Hawkins and Mattie Bryant, September 18, 1884, by G. W. Culbreth, 
M. G. 

Oscar Davis and Mary Ellen Evans, December 29, 1884, by E. F. Lee, J. P. 

J. F. Horne and Elmira J. Sapp, February 8, 1885, by D. C. Daniel, J. P. 
Samuel Willcox and Sallie Powell, June 9, 1885, by Phillip Reaves, M„ G. 
John Parkerson and Sarah C. McCranie, August 28, 1884, by C. J. Jones, J. P. 
M. W. Merritt and Lucy Bethune, April 2, 1885, by James W. Rozar, J. P. 
Romulus M. Peacock and Flora I. Leitch, June 13, 1885, by J. I. D. Miller. 
Luther Williams and Henrietta Blount, November 4, 1885, by G. W. Cul¬ 
breth, M. G. 

Austin Frazier and Rachel Allen, November 4, 1885, by G. W. Culbreth, M. G* 


62 


History of Dodge County 


M. C. Wright and Caroline H. Powell, August 1, 1885, by G. W. Culbreth, 
M. G. 

Sawell Rolin and Corinne Wright, November 26, 1885, by G. W. Culbreth, M. G. 
Mat Faison and Kate Snell, February 6, 1885, by G. W. Culbreth, M. G. 
Rufus Dunn and Fannie Blackshear, February 6, 1885, by G. W. Culbreth, 
M. G. 

Joseph McCranie and Evvie Register, January 10, 1886, by G. W. Culbreth, 
M. G. 

C. Hill and Martha Davis, January 7, 1886, by G. W. Culbreth, M. G. 

Dan Swindell and Julia Shaw, February 7, 1886, by Jas. H. Nelson, M. G. 
Joseph Smith and Mary McCowen, February 9, 1886, by A. Curry, J. P. 

John J. Rozar and Florence Tallula Rawlins, January 28, 1886, by P. A. 

Jessup,, 

Seaborn Steele and Sarah Sanders, February 24, 1886, by R. Ford, M. G. 

A. Jamison and Annie B. Morrison, November 5, 1885, by P. A. Jessup, M. G. 
John L. McCranie and Mary E. Daniel, July 27, 1885, by John Ryals, J. P. 
Robt. Rouse and Mary Williams, September 19, 1885, by R. Ford, M. G. 

G. W. Ryals and J. M. Swymer,/ November 19, 1885, by B. F. Clark, J. P. 
Milton H. Edwards and Orlena M. Carr, January 8, 1885, by P, A. Jessup, 
M. G. 

Shepherd Lindsey and Ellen Burnham, October 25, 1885, by G. T. McGriff, 
M. G. 

Alex Holder and Queen Snead, October 3, 1885, by D. C, Daniel, J. P. 

James Lansberg and Carrie L. Herrman, September 22, 1885, by P. A. Jessup, 
M. G. 

Emanuel Bivins and Jane Fordham, September 11, 1885, by E. M. Johnson, 
M. G. 

Chas. J. Jones, Jr. and Susannah Gladden, August 13, 1885, by C. J. Jones, 
J. P. 

Adam Durr and Georgiann Ellis, November 8, 1885, by Seaborn Briggs, M. G. 
Jas. B. Creighton and Trecey E. English, July 5, 1885, by M. Sikes, M. G. 
Nathaniel Mclntire and Rebecca Fleetwood, August 30, 1885, by W. H. Stud- 
still, J. P. 

Simeon Grimsley and L. James, January 15, 1885, by John Ross, M. G. 

John Harrell and Frances Askew, July 13, 1885, by J. Fordham, M. G. 

James R. Mullis and Emma Rogers, January 7, 1885, by C. J. Jones, N. P. and 
Ex. Of. J. P. 

A. T. Hogg and Mary E. Buchan, July 5, 1885, by P. A. Jessup, M. G. 

D. A. Bailey and V. B. Willcox, May 1 10, 1885, by P. A. Jessup, M. G. 

Levi Woolfaulk and Lettie Whitehead, November 28, 1885, by J. Johnson, M. G. 
Rufus McCormick and Susan Starrs (or Staus), September 13, 1885, by J. C. 
Ryals, J. P. 

Remus Taylor and Alexis Phillips, October 30, 1885, by E. M. Johnson, M. G. 
Jacob Hall and Sarah Phillips, July 27, 1885, by R. Ford, M. G. 

John G. Oliver and Sarah J. McDaniel, March 23, 1885, by C. J. Jones, J. P. 
Dennis Alexander and Carrie Jones, June 25, 1885, by T. Wilson, M. G. 

R. D. Faircloth and Lizzie Hobbs, May 24, 1885, by D. E. Green, M. G. 


Early Marriages 


63 


Perry Brown and Elizabeth Moore, July 12, 1885, by C. C. Horne, M. G. 
John D. Singletary and Nancy S. Wilkerson, July 29, 1885, by C. J. Jones, 
J. P. 

Geo. W. Saturday and Lena E. Raffield, December 24, 1885, by C. J Jones, 

J. P. 

William Hally and R. Mathis, April 19, 1886, by J. M. Arthur, J. P. 

Isham Sullivan and Mollie Davis, January 14, 1886, by W. H. Harper, M. G. 
Ezekiel Hodge and Lula Roberson, December 24, 1884, by T. H. Wilson, M. G. 
Geo. H. Espes and Alice Chi vers, May 31, 1885, by W. K. Bussey, J. P. 
Thomas J. Buchan and Lizzie V. English, August 2, 1885, by M. Sikes, 0. M. G. 
W. B. Holder and Theodosia D. Jump, December 27, 1885, by M. A. Lan¬ 
caster, J. P. 

Bill George (or Gregory or Grenly) and Mattie Bennett, June 18, 1885, by C. 
C. Horne, M. G. 

John A. Bond and Flora Peacock, February 18, 1886, by J. J. Ansley, M. G. 
W. H. Oliver and Caroline Sheffield, June 24, 1886, by J. C. Ryals, J, P. 

David Fuller and Cornelia Brazzele, December 29, 1885, by Geo. Pate, M. G. 
Harry Williams and Judah Nelson, March 7, 1886, by A. H. Harper. 

J. G. Partin and Bessie Long, May 14, 1885, by D. E. Green, M. G. 

Paul J. Davis and Mattie Alton, July 14, 1885, by C. G. Horne, M. G. 

B. M. Burch and Emma V. Womble, August 6, 1885, by C. C, Horne, M. G. 
Simeon B. Daniel and F. S. Willcox, August 17, 1885, by J. C. Ryals, J. P. 
Henry Lofton and Florence Braddy, August 14, 1885, by E. F. Lee, J. P. 

Jacob Stewart and Dora Mobley, April 4, 1884, by T. H. Wilson, M. G. 
Heywood D'unson and Lizzie Turner, July 5, 1885, by Reuben Lanier, M. G. 
Henry Taylor and Darkis Coffee, June 20, 1884, by J. C. Ryals, J. P. 

Robert Rice and Emma Wood, March 8, 1885, by T. Wilson, M. G. 

Samuel Collins and Sallie Harrell, June 19, 1885, by S. M. Cullough. 

John Johnson and Victoria Hall, October 25, 1885, by John Ryals, J. P. 

John S. Willcox and Mollie C. Hamilton, January 13, 1886, by P. A. Jessup, 
M. G. 

Joel F. Mullis and Agnes M. Lewis, October 28, 1886, by C. J. Land, N. P. 
and Ex. Of. J. P. 

Wm. F. Luckie and N. I. Parks,, March 20, 1887, by Elder D. N. Fann. 

Robert E. Hightower and Mattie Lou Harrison, February 9, 1887, by J. D. 
Anthony, M. G. 

Lewis M. Curry and May Colwell, February 15, 1887, by Paul F. Brown. 

Felix Willamson and Cora Powell, January 16, 1887, by J. M. Henderson, M. G. 
W. L. Wood and Willie J. Lowther, February 13, 1887, by P. A. Jessup, M. G. 
D. L. Hobbs and Amanda Tripp, January 23, 1887, by D. E. Green, M. G. 

A. J. Southerland and Minnie J. Williams, February 7, 1886. 

A. J. Mitchell and Cynthia Edge, March 8, 1886, by E. J. Thompson, M. G. 

J C. Ryals and Mollie Campbell, June 13„ 1886, by Wm. Williamson, M. G. 
John B. Scott and Alice T. Myers, June 25, 1886, by E. J. Thompson, M. G. 
Robert Thomas and Emma Burch, August 2, 1884, by J. S. Thompson, M. G. 
J. D. Giddens and Mary Ann Evans, January 3, 1886, by John S. Thompson, 
M. G. 


64 


History of Dodge County 


Joseph E. Rogers and Frances C. Evans, April 6, 1887. 

Chas. M. Sikes and S. Ellen Yawn, November 23, 1887, by John T. Rogers, 
M. G. 

A. Williams and Henrietta Myers, June 21, 1887, by E. J. Thompson, M. G. 

T. W. Wall and S. E. Rutherford, October 9, 1887, by Jno. B. Mills, M. G. 

H. T. Edge and Sallie Dykes, December 25, 1887, by E. J. Thompson, M. G. 
Arthur Robinson and Viney Melvin, September 9, 1887, by C. J. Jones, J. P. 
Allen R. Johnson and Janie Jones, December 13, 1887, by G. W. Pharr, M. G. 

I. P. Grimsley and Mary L. Home, September 25, 1887, by John Ross, M. G. 

J. M. Jones and B. P. Black,, July 8, 1887, by C. J. Jones, J. P. 

Eli W. Evans and Amanda Couey, October 17, 1887, by J. A. Evans, M. G. 
Arnold Humphrey and Angeline Brazil, June 5, 1887, Geo. Pate, M. G. 

Bryant Saturday and Eliza Cobb, July 7, 1887, by T. W. Dennis, M. G. 

A. J. Munford and Eugenia Bohannon, October 9, 1887, by P. A. Jessup, M. G. 
Demps Gilbert and Mary Reaves, March 10, 1887, by J. C. Ryals, J. P. 
Charley Reaves and Antoinette Slappey, October 18, 1886, by W. H. Harper, 
M. G. 

Lewis H. Bennett and Clara Fulwood, September 30, 1885, by John S. Thomp¬ 
son, M. G. 

Uriah Dowdy and Linder Yancey, October 17, 1886, by John B. Studstiil. 
James Grimsley and Minnie Fretwell, July 5, 1884. 

Stephen Whitehead and Becca McRae, September 4, 1882, by James John¬ 
son, M. G. 

Daniel (or David) Giddens and Phenily Harrell, December 20, 1883, by J. S. 
Thompson, M. G. 

Samuel J. Williams and Bettie Johnson, January 23, 1887, by E. W. Evans, 
M. G. 

William D. Hargrove and Lydia E. Wishart, September 19, 1886, by P. A. 
Jessup, M. G. 

Nelson Smith and Eliza Davis, July 17, 1881, by E. F. Lee, J. P. 

J. M. Jump and Janie Walker, May 8, 1881, by D. E. Hunter, M. G. 

Alfred Butler and Georgia Ann Chapman, September 15, 1887, by W. A. 
Holmes, M. G. 

David McRae and Susannah Adams, May 24, 1885, by J. C. Ryals, J. P. 

John C. Holt and Mary J. Jones, November 9, 1886, by M. A. Lancaster, J. P. 
Frank Brown and Eliza Burney, September 26, 1886, by E. M. Johnson, M. G. 
James M. Parkerson and Melviniam L. Wise, August 22, 1886, by C J Jones 
J. P. 

Jack Allen and T. McNair, January 7, 1888, by James Johnson, M. G. 

Thomas Burch and Jane Cadwell, July 16, 1886, by C. J. Jones, J. P. 

W. W. Peterson and Marietta Barron, May 23, 1886, by J. C. Ryals, J. P. 
Joseph Oxendine and Arrena Brown, May 1, 1886, by L. S. Batie, M. G. 

Robt. C. Jones and Mary Sapp, July 4, 1886, by M. A. Lancaster, J. P. 

James T. Yawn and Eliza Hodge, November 7, 1886, by M. A. Lancaster, J. P. 
John T. Swearingame and Gemine Gregory, November 28, 1886, by J. W. 
Rozar, J. P. 


Early Marriages 


65 


James T. Douglas and Julia Ann Butler, December 21, 1886, by J. W. Rozar, 

J. P. 

Benj. Hendley and Sarah Hendley, November 28, 1886, by E. M. Johnson, 
M. G. 

Chas. A. Thompson and Julia W. Stewart, December 23, 1886, by I. R. Bran¬ 
ham, M. G., and P. A. Jessup, M, G. 

Benjamin W. Harrell and Malinda Mullis, October 3, 1886, by C. J. Jones, 
J. P. 

Henry Achord and Carrie Yawn, December 23, 1886, by A. Curry, J. P. 
Henry Johnson and Cherry Burnham, September 5, 1884, by Eli F. Lee, J. P. 
Geo. W. Sellers and C. V. Register, December 22, 1885, by J. T. Kinchen, M. G. 
J. B. Anderson and Kizer Cooper, August 29, 1886, by Alfred Reeves, M. G. 
Albert Nicholson and Millie Freeman, December 6, 1886, by Geo. Pate, M. G. 
Eli Mullis and Ann Elizabeth Tripp, July 22, 1886, by J. W. Rozar, J. P. 
Randall Gray and Lizzie Bishop, April 22, 1886, by A. Brown, M. G. 

David Mullis and Sarah Coleman, January 13, 1888, by D. J. Dorsey, J. P. 
Zacharia Rooks and Sallie Rogers, July 29, 1886, by J. W. Rozar, J. P. 
Crocket Davis and Gracie Pittman, December 29, 1885, by T. W. Wilson, M. G. 
William Ragan and Mary Mullis, December 30, 1874, by G. J. Tripp, J. P. 
Charlie Harris and Eva Scarborough, December 27, 1885, by R. Lord, M. G. 
Henry Carter and Alice Lockett, October 18, 1886, by A. Brown, M. G. 

S. R. Peacock and Margaret Mullis, January 14, 1886, by C. J. Jones, J. P. 
Francis Bartow Stubbs and Mary R. Bussey, November 30, 1886, by J. D. 
Anthony, M. G. 

W. F. Southerland and M. F. Taylor, August 24, 1886, by J. S. Thompson. 
Albert B. Moore and Maggie W. McKinnon, December 19, 1886, by J. J. 
Ansley, M. G. 

John W. Boswell and Alice Johnson, October 27, 1886, by A. Curry, J. P. 
Lovett Brown and Susan English, June 27, 1886, by Alfred Reeves, M. G. 
Thomas Cauley and Johephine Sandiford, September 11, 1885, by C. C. Horne, 
M. G. 

Jake Baltimore and Amanda Moore, December 4, 1887, by James Johnson, 
M. G. 

W. S. Wrye and Mary A. Cadwell, December 28, 1887, by W. K. Bussey, J. P. 
N. J. Nicholson and Mollie E. Fossett, October 26, 1887, by J. W. Rozar, J. P. 
Elisha Evans and Lucinda Evans, November 30, 1887, by J. A. Evans, M. G. 
Matthew McGlohorn and Mattie Daniel, December 11, 1887, by E. W. Evans, 
M. G. 

Washington Harrison and Eliza Brown, November 13, 1887, by C. F. Thomp¬ 
son, M. G. 

W. J. Tripp and Mary Eliza Hobbs, December 29, 1887, by J. W. Withering- 
ton, M. G. 

W. H. Mullis and Dollie Peacock, January 1, 1886, by G. F. Powell, M. G. 

J. C. Rawlins and Sallie Lovett, May 20, 1888, by J. C. Flanders, M. G. 
Matthew Clark and Dollie C. Pickren, October 14, 1888, by P. A. Jessup, M. G. 
Lafayette Rankins and Lillie Riley, September 25, 1888, by I. Parker, M. G. 
Oscar Farrow and Ida Childs, September 22, 1888, by I. Parker, M. G. 


66 


History of Dodge County 


Joseph Johnson and Leila Buchan, July 18, 1887, by C. T. Thompson, M. G. 
Clinton Johnson and Mary Marshall, December 26, 1888, by J. A. Evans, M. G. 
Jim Brown and Mina Williams, January 25, 1888, by A. Brown, M. G. 
Anderson Johnson and Gracey Thorpe, December 25, 1888, by R. N. Lanear, 
M. G. 

John Williams and Rebecca B. Pitts, January 6, 1887, by G. W. Culbreth, M. G. 
Isaac Simmons and Susan Smith, October 14, 1888, by J. W. Wilson, M. G. 
Zachariah Taylor and Axa Ann Brown, November 24, 1887, by C. J. Jones, J. P. 
Tom Jones and Emma Hardin, January 13, 1889, by S. Q. Lanier, M. G. 

J. L. Evans and Sarah Pipkin, October 11, 1888, by J. A. Evans, M. G. 

Homer Shepherd and Amanda Patterson, August 20, 1888, by I. Parker, M. G. 
Wm. A. Parker and S. Horton, October 21, 1888, by W. K. Bussey, J. P. 

Robert Strickland and Nona Ross, January 4, 1888, by A. Brown, M. G. 

John B. Hart and Lula B. Childs, June 6, 1889, by Levi H. Harrell, J. P. 
John D. Stokes and Lovie Clements, June 5, 1889, by E. J. Burch, M. G. 
Richard Brown and Sallie Bryan, May 29, 1889, by L. B. Fambrough, M. G. 
John Gordon and Lugenia Johnson,, June 8, 1889, by L. B. Fambrough, M. G. 
David Lee and Mary Inman, June 9, 1889, by C. M. Council, M. G. 

Richard Lochlair and Amie Hendley, June 13, 1889, by C. C. Horne, M. G. 
Owen W. Bush and Roberta F. Crutchfield, June 20, 1889, by P. A. Jessup, 
M. G. 

John Powell and Mary J. Davis, June 23, 1889, by J. W. Witherington, M. G. 
R. B. Battle and Eva Gray, June 30, 1889, by L. B. Fambrough, M. G. 

John S. Moore and Eliza J. Howard, July 4, 1889, by S. M„ Matchett, M. G. 
Hillary Swindell and Dorcas Powell, June 27, 1889, by A. B. Rogers, M. G. 
John W. Thompson and Alice Dowdy, July 7, 1889, by W. H. Studstill, J. P. 
Martin Taylor and Nancy Ann Parkerson, July 11, 1889, by C. J. Jones, J. P. 
Bill Griswold and Sarah Hutchens, June 13, 1889, by Isham Parker, M. G. 
Anderson Dennis and Annie Owen, July 22, 1889, by E. J. Burch, M. G. 

Fred Williams and Sarah Oston, June 10, 1889, by I. F. Cary, M. G. 

D'. S. McEachin and Annie B. Miles, July 28, 1889, by P. A. Jessup, M. G. 
Jerry McKinnon and Lula Williams, July 23, 1889, by R. H. Harper. 

Jesse Oxendine and Lecy Ann Freeman, July 29, 1889, by C. C. Horne, M. G. 
Thomas W. Walker and Annie West, July 17, 1889, by L. B. Fambrough, M. G. 
David Fulmore and Lula Holmes, July 23, 1889, by L. B. Fambrough, M. G. 

E. B. Miller and Mary J. Horne, December 20, 1885, by P. A. Jessup, M. G. 
William White and Mattie Graham, April 11, 1889, by T. H. Wilson, M. G. 

Michael Crawford and Peggy Coffee,_, 1889, by R. E. J. Jefferson. 

Frank W. Armstrong and Laura Knowles, August 25, 1889, by E. J. Burch, 
M. G. 

Austin Thomas and Sarah Gay, August 12, 1889, by S. L. Lanier, M. G. 

Jacob Jones and Addie Smith, August 2, 1889, by T. H. Wilson, M. G. 

Charlie F. Mullis and Mary F. Evans, August 25, 1889, by S. A. Sheffield, M. G. 
Arthur C. Musgrove and Fannie Alcorn, September 1, 1889, by J. W. Wither¬ 
ington, M. G. 

J. M. Darsey and Ella Evans, September 8, 1889, by P. A. Jessup, M. G. 
William Roberts and Flora Baldwin, August 29, 1889, by A. B. Rogers. M. G. 


Early Marriages 


67 


Cary Austin and Mary Ann Rawlins, September 10, 1889, by S. M. Matchett, 
M. G. 

Isaac A. Nixon and Fannie Bishop, September 11, 1889, by L. B Fambrough, 
M. G. 

J. W. Tripp and Janet Harrell, May 2, 1889, by C, J. Jones, J. P. 

H. H. Scarborough and Alice Murphey, April 24, 1889, by P. A. Jessup, M. G. 

A. G. Weaver and Elizabeth Swinson, April 14, 1889, by J. T. Rogers, M. G. 

L. M. Woodward and Mary Lou McKinnon, April 21, 1889, by E. J. Burch, 
M. G. 

James McRae and Betty Kelly, May 13, 1889, by Jesse Dinkins, M. G. 

Wm. Taylor and Lila Petts, May 1, 1889, by Alford Reaves, M. G. 

Wm. Brown and Annie Young, May 9, 1889, by W. S. Ware, M. G. 

John J. Elks and Elizabeth Bowen, July 23, 1889, by C. C, Horne, M. G. 

Alec Fletcher and Nancy Dennison, October 5, 1889, by I. H. Norris. 

John Shannon and Columbia Gay, November 7, 1889, by P. A. Jessup, M. G. 

Perry Rowland and Eliza J. Sermons, October 10, 1889, by S. T. Darsey, J. P. 

Richard J. Tucker and Mary C. A. Harrison, November 3, 1889, by P. A. 
Jessup, M. G. 

Elijah J. Freeman and Emma Wright, October 26, 1889, by D. H. Barkwell, J. P. 

Abram Powell and Missouri Harris, October 3, 1889, by S. M. Matchett, M. G. 

Elvin Yawn, Jr., and Mollie Small, June 16, 1889, by G. W. Culbreth, M. G. 

Cicero Young and Mary Lou Brown, October 27, 1889, by R. M. Lanier. 

Isaac Gaston and Georgia Bishop, October 10, 1889, by E. M. Johnson, M. G. 

John R. J. Swann and Mollie Lou Yawn, October 15, 1889, by John T. Rogers, 
M. G. 

Newton H. Wright and Matilda Livingston, October 6, 1889, by W. H. Cole¬ 
man, M. G. 

Zeke Thomas and Emma Tillman, October 14, 1889, by R. H. Harper, M. G. 

Mose Allen and Etta Jane Avery, October 2, 1889, by Isham Parker, M. G. 

William Avery and Mollie Brooks, October 2, 1889, by Isham Parker, M. G. 

Adolphus White and Mary Ann Boutwell, March 20, 1887, by G. W. Culbreth, 
M. G. 

William L. Norris and Lula Carr, December 15, 1889, by John T. Rogers, M. G. 

Benjamin F. Horne and Mary Ann Frances Jones, November 28, 1889, by C. 
J. Jones, J. P. 

Henry Stubbs and Martha Reynolds, December 5, 1889, by-Thomas, M. G. 

Thomas 0. Selph and Sarah E. Selph, November 10, 1889, by W. H. Stud- 
still, J. P. 

Jeremiah Ursery and Maggie L. Rhodes, November 24,1889, by A. M. Butler, J. P. 

John A. Nixon and Azalee Mashburn, December 15, 1889, by P. A. Jessup, 
M. G. 

Thomas Hodge and Etta Yearty, December 22, 1889, by J. W. Witherington, 
M. G. 

Willie Butler and Elizabeth Sampson, December 6, 1889, by Isham Parker, 
M. G. 

Geo. W. Eddings and Mattie Wade, December 8, 1889, by D. C, Daniel, J. P. 

Harrison Hall and Mary Jane Studstill, May 10, 1889, by G. W. Ryals, J. P. 


68 


History of Dodge County 


WILLS—1878-1901. 

WILLIS DORSEY (or DARSEY). 

Wife: Gillia Dorsey. 

Children: Rufus H., Joel, Ben. W., Willis B., William D., John I., May. 
Witnesses: David T. Douglas, J. K. P. Braswell, August Peacock, Jones 
Graham. 

Date: December 18, 1878. 

ALFRED MULLIS. 

Wife: Pherebee. 

Son: John Elbert Ross. Other children mentioned but no names given. 
Witnesses: Joseph Graham, J. W. Hendrix, D. C. Livingston, A. M. Brown. 
Administrator: Lovett Brown. 

Date: April —, 1878. 

KIZIAH MARTIN. 

Sons: Jeremiah and Richard. 

Daughters: Elizabeth, Gadsey, Susan, Frances. 

Witnesses: R. C. Campbell, John Ryals, H. H. Dowdy, M. J. McDuffie. 
Executors: Richard and Jeremiah Martin. 

ALFRED BURNHAM. 

Wife: Mary. 

Sons: Joel C., Miles A., Louis C., Woodson W. 

Daughters: Mary, Sara Jane, Susanna. 

Witnesses: H. W. Carswell, J. S. Barron Peter A. Bowen, Daniel C. Cravey. 
Executors: John Cravey and Louis Burnham. 

P. MARTIN LIVINGSTON. 

Wife: Mary. 

Witnesses: Thomas H. Dawson, Andrew Sheffield, John Livingston. 

JAMES TRIPP. 

Wife: Eliza Ann. 

Son: Franklin. 

Daughters: Eliza Jane, Amanda, Margaret. 

Witnesses: William Phillips, Robert Rogers, James Hartley. 

Executor: Berry Hobbs. 

JESSIE BUTTS. 

Wife: Elizabeth. 

Witnesses: Joseph Williams, W. M. Ryals, Byrd Mobley. 

Executors: James B. Studstill, Wiley J. Williams. 

DAVID SAPP. 

Wife: Catherine. 

Children mentioned but no names given. 

Witnesses: A. H. McRae, E. F. Lee, John F. DeLacy. 

Executors: Wife and two sons, H. J. and James M. 

Date: February 6, 1882. 


Wills 


69 


JOHN VAUGHN. 

Wife: Jane. 

Son: John. 

Daughter: Sarah E. 

Witnesses: E. D'. Griffin, W. P. Hartman, J. C. Powell. 

Executor: Wife, Jane Vaughn. 

Date: March 6, 1882. 

WILLIAM TAYLOR. 

Wife, but no name given. 

Children, but only one named Zachariah. 

Witnesses: Harris Fisher, J. M. Buchan, T. J. Buchan, John W. Taylor. 
Date: October 2, 1883. 

M. L. COLEMAN. 

Daughters: India or Judia, Sallie C. 

Son: Robert L. 

Witnesses: B. R. Calhoun, Matthew Clark, W. F. Lord. 

Executor: E. H. Bacon. 

Date: April 6, 1885. 

JOHN M. DANIEL. 

Wife: Eliza. 

Daughters: Margaret Hamilton, Nancy S. Willcox, Mary Coffee, Eliza J. 

Fletcher, Rebecca Humphreys. 

Son: Stephen M. 

Witnesses: Moses J. W. Daniel, William M. Fletcher, Thomas S. Willcox. 
Executors: Stephen N. Daniel, Joshua Coffee. 

Date: April 6, 1885. 

DAVID CAMPBELL. 

Wife: Mary. 

Daughters: Catherine J. Cravey, Elizabeth Cravey, Mary B. McLean. 

Son: R. C, Campbell. 

Witnesses: Daniel S. Williams, John F. Parker, William Studstill. 

Executor: Daniel C. Cravey. 

WILLIAM PITT EASTMAN. 

Daughter: Caro C. Eastman. 

Witnesses: Chas. A. Peabody of New York; Fisher A. Baker, Yonkers, 

N. Y.; Theodore Kiendl, East New York. 

Executor: Caro C. Eastman. 

Date: December 31, 1888. 


MARY E. BISHOP. 

Husband: James Bishop, Sr. 

Son: James, Jr. 

Daughters: Helen, Emma, Carolyn, Estelle, Mary. 
Witnesses: J. B. Mitchell, R. L. Bush, J. D. Humphreys. 
Executors: James Bishop, Jr., Estelle Bishop. 

Date: April 1, 1889. 


70 


History of Dodge County 


JAMES DANIEL HARRELL. 

Wife: Nancy Margaret. 

Son: William Levi. 

Daughters: Georgia Frances, Gussie Bell, Mittie Tulou, Hattie Lou. 
Witnesses: J. W. Noles, Irby H. Harrison, L. L. Hargrove, W. K. Bussey. 
Date: January 10, 1888. 

JESSE BROWN. 

Wife: Elizabeth. 

Daughter: Rachel A. 

Sons: Charles N., Henry C., William R. D., Sylvester M., Geo. M., Jno. H. 
Witnesses: Jno. C. Thompson, Jas. W. Rogers, D. T. Douglas, S. H. 

Douglas, John H. Brown. 

No date. 

LLOYD SMITH. 

Wife: Eliza J. 

No children. 

Witnesses: J. D. Herrman, T. J. Buchan, Jas. M. Buchan, T. M. Bennett, 
E. F. Lee. 

Executor: William Ragan. 

FREDERICK C. MATERNE. 

Legatee: J. Calvin Rawlins. 

Witnesses: Seymour Briggs, Carrie Tippins, Nellie Askew, Louise Briggs. 
Date: November 4, 1890. 


JONATHAN W. NOLES. 

Wife: Columbus Jane. 

Witnesses: Matthew Clark, John J. Harrell, J. W. Mullis. 
Executor: B. R. Calhoun. 

Date: March 3, 1891. 

EDMOND TRIPP. 

Son: J. A. F. Tripp. 

Witnesses: C. H. Peacock, J. F. Pittman, K. H. Tripp. 
Executor: J. A. F. Tripp. 

Date: January 4, 1892. 

JANE F. LEITCH. 

Husband: W. N. Leitch. 

Son: Arthur M. 

Daughters: Mary E., Flora I. Bond. 

Witnesses: L. M. Peacock, J. D. Stokes, C. H. Peacock. 
Executor: W. N. Leitch. 

JAMES R. MOOD. 

Wife: Martha King Mood. 

Witnesses: Samuel Preoleaue, H. Slwycker, R. W. Finnican. 
Executor: Martha King Mood. 


Wills 


71 


HORTON McCRANIE. 

Wife: Mary E. McCranie. 

Children mentioned, but no names given. 

Witnesses: I. H. Hall, W. C. Maloy, W. J. Johns. 

Executor: Mary E. McCranie. 

BENJAMIN E. L. GIDDENS. 

Wife: Bedie C. Giddens. 

Daughters: Mengan Harrell, Martha Ann Evans, Beedie Ann Peacock, Rachel, 
L. R., Nancy Rawlins. 

Son: Hughey M. 

Witnesses: John J. Rozar, Joel Mullis, George Baker. 

Executor: John R. Giddens. 

GEORGE W. YANCEY. 

Wife: Mary. 

Daughters: Susan Holder, Dorcas Yancey, Mary Roberson, Mary Ann Brown. 
Son: George W. 

Witnesses: William M. Fletcher, D. W. Bowen, John B. Studstill. 

Executors: George W. Yancey, Jesse Brown. 

Date: November 14, 1894. 


JAMES S. CLEMENTS. 

Brothers: Walter M., Milton G. 

Sisters: Mrs. Mary Q. McRae, Mrs. Abbie M. Rousseau, Mrs. L. A. E. Stokes. 
Witnesses: L. M. Peacock, J. D. Stokes, E. A. Smith. 

Executor: Walter M. Clements. 

Date: September 12, 1894. 


CHARLES A. ROZAR. 

Wife: Jane. 

Sons: C. M. and Robert. 

Daughters: Harpy J. Allen, Susan J. Peacock. 

Witnesses: A. L. Harris, G. W. Rawlins, J. J. Sandiford, James H. Loyless. 
Executor: C. M. Rozar. 

Date: February 27, 1895. 

NANCY S. IRBY. 

Child: Lily May Irby. 

Witnesses: E. Herrman, Wash Harrell, J. D, Herrman. 

Executor: W. J. Harrell. 

Date: January 20, 1896. 

JORDAN BROWN. 

Wife: Jane A. 

Witnesses: W. J. Baker, A. J. Hargrove, L. L. Hargrove. 

Executor: Jane A. Brown. 

Date: January 20, 1896. 


72 


History of Dodge County 


STEPHEN D. EASON. 

Wife: E. I. Eason. 

Nephews: Chas. A. L., Anderson, Stephen Jonah Anderson. 
Sisters: Mrs. Mary Anderson, Mrs. Ella Johnson. 

Witnesses: E. A. Smith, Jno. B. Cadwell, W. M. Clements. 
Executor: Uriah Anderson. 

Date: February 11, 1898. 

E. A. SMITH. 

Wife: Julia. 

Son: Dudley. 

Witnesses: C. W. Atwell, Etna Peacock, Walter M. Clements. 
Executor: Mrs. Julia Smith. 

Date: April 26, 1897. 


REBECCA BOUTWELL. 

J. G. Worsham, Henrietta Boutwell, children of Mary Hyman, Winnie Edwards. 
Witnesses: J. C. Rawlins, J. S. Curry, W. T. Collins, L. M. Peacock. 
Executor: L. M. Peacock. 

Date: September 10, 1898. 


OLIVER P. WADE. 

Sons: Jesse Wade, Henry Wade. 

Daughters: Levina Ann, Elizabeth. 

Grandsons: William Wade, Morgan, Charlie, Willis Wade. 
Granddaughters: Mattie Eddins, Trudy Coody, Annie Coody, Ida Coody. 
Witnesses: B. R. Calhoun, W. F. Slater, T. M. Bennett. 

Executor: D. M. Buchan. 

Date: January 5, 1898. 


WILLIAM J. HARRELL. 

Wife: Lizzie. 

Children mentioned, but no names given. 

Witnesses: B. R. Calhoun, J. A. Hargrove, Andy Cadwell. 

Executor: John J. Harrell. 

Date: January 22, 1901. 

EASTMAN LODGE NO. 279, FREE AND ACCEPTED 

MASONS. 

Eastman Masonic Lodge No. 279, F. & A. M., was organized on July 
the 27th, A. D. 1872, with the following charter members: 

Ira R. Foster, Reuben A. Harrell, Arthur C. Page, Charles Burch, John 
McCranie, C. D. Parkerson, James Bishop, John A. Harrell. Harlow Clark, 
Jordan Brown, Levi Evans, B. A. Herndon, William H. Harrell, Matthew 
Clark, Thomas L. Taylor, I. H. Russell. 


Eastman Lodge No. 279 


73 


The following is from the minutes of the first meeting held by 
this lodge: 

“Eastman Lodge, U. D. 

“Eastman, Georgia, July 27th, A.D., 1872. 

“A dispensation having been issued by Samuel Lawrence, Grand Master of 
Masons in Georgia to Brothers Ira R. Foster, James Bishop, B. A. Herndon, 
Reuben A. Harrell, John A. Harrell, William H. Harrell, Arthur C. Page, 
Harlow Clark, Matthew Clark, Charles Burch, Jordan Brown, Thomas L. Tay¬ 
lor, John McCranie, Levi Evans, I. H. Russell and C. D. Parkerson, to open 
and hold a Lodge of Master Masons by first nominating and appointing Brother 
Ira R. Foster as Worshipful Master, Brother James Bishop as Senior Warden 
and Brother B. H. Herndon as Junior Warden, authorizing and empowering 
them to open and hold a Lodge of Entered Apprentice Masons, a Lodge of 
Fellow Craft Masons, and a Lodge of Master Masons for the conferring of the 
several degrees named, and the transaction of such other business as may be 
done under the! power and authority of the said dispensation as issued by the 
said Worshipful Grand Master. 

“Whereupon the said Brothers assembled at the court house in the town 
of Eastman on Saturday, July the 27th, A.D., 1872, A. L. 5872, at three 
o’clock, P. M., and opened a Master Masons’ Lodge in due form with the 
following officers: 

“Brothers Ira R. Foster, W. Master; James Bishop, S. Warden; B. A. Hern¬ 
don, J. Warden; Matthew Clark, Treasurer; John A. Harrell, Secretary; 
Reuben A. Harrell, S. Deacon; Arthur C. Page, J. Deacon; Charles Burch, 
Steward; Harlow Clark, Steward; Jordan Brown, Tyler. 

“The By-laws of Mount Hope Lodge No. 9 were adopted for the government 
of the lodge for the present. Brothers James Bishop, B. A. Herndon and 
Reuben A. Harrell were appointed a committee to draft a code of by-laws for 
the rule and government of the lodge. 

“A resolution was adopted that the regular or stated communications of this 
lodge be held on the first and third Saturdays in each month at three 
o’clock, P. M. 

“On motion a resolution was passed that the petitioners for the dispensa¬ 
tion pay each two dollars for the expenses of the same and that the amount 
so paid be returned to each brother at some future day and that the amount 
due for the dispensation be forwarded at once to the Grand Secretary of the 
Grand Lodge at Macon. 

“The following brothers contributed: Brother Ira R. Foster, $2.00; Brother 
James Bishop, $2.00; Brother B. A. Herndon, $2.00; Brother Matthew Clark, 
$2.00; Brother Harlow Clark, $2.00; Brother Reuben A. Harrell, $2.00; 
Brother John A. Harrell, $2.00; Brother Jordan Brown, $2.00; Brother William 
.. $2.00; Brother Charles Burch, $2.00. Total, $20.00. 

“There being no further business the lodge was closed in due and ancient 
form. 


“John A. Harrell, Secretary.” 



74 


History of Dodge County 


The lodge continued to work under dispensation until October 
31, 1872, at which time a charter was issued to the lodge, and the 
following are the minutes of the first meeting held after the grant¬ 
ing of the charter: 

“Eastman, Ga., Friday, 

Nov. 22, A.D. 1872, A. L. 5872, 

3 o’clock, P. M. 

“Arrangements having been made for the purpose of constituting a lodge at 
this place under a charter granted by the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted 
Masons in the State of Georgia under the name and form of Eastman Lodge, 
No. 279, the officers and brethren assembled and opened a Lodge of Master 
Masons in due and ancient form with the respective officers as follows: 

“Brother Joseph E. Wells, Past Master of Macon Lodge, No. 5 as Worship¬ 
ful Master; Brother James Bishop, Senior Warden; Brother B. A. Herndon, 
Junior Warden; Brother Ruben A. Harrell, Senior Deacon; Brother Arthur C. 
Page, Junior Deacon; Brother Matthew Clark, Treasurer; Brother John A. 
Harrell, Secretary; Brother Isaac Herrman, Steward; Brother Charles B. Mur¬ 
rell, Steward; Jordan Brown, Tyler. 

“The Worshipful Master appointed Brother Charles R. Armstrong of Macon 
Lodge No. 5, Acting Grand Marshal and proceeded to constitute the new lodge 
after the examination of the records and the reading of the charter by the 
Acting Grand Marshal, by the installation and induction of the following named 
brethren into their respective stations and places as follows: 

“Brother Ira R. Foster, Worshipful Master; Brother James Bishop, Senior 
Warden; Brother B. A. Herndon, Junior Warden; Brother Matthew Clark, 
Treasurer; Brother John A. Harrell, Secretary; Brother Ruben A. Murrell, 
Senior Deacon; Brother Arthur C. Page, Junior Deacon; Brother Harlow 
Clark, Steward; Brother Charles Burch, Steward; Brother Jordan Brown, 
Tyler. 

“After which the Acting Grand Marshal proclaimed the new lodge as fol¬ 
lows: 

“ ‘Hear Ye! Hear Ye! Hear Ye! 

“ ‘By command of the most Worshipful Grand Master through the Past Mas¬ 
ter acting as Worshipful Master, in the name of the Grand Lodge of the State 
of Georgia, I proclaim this new lodge by the name of Eastman Lodge No. 279 
to be legally constituted and consecrated, and the officers thereof to be duly 
installed in their respective offices.’ 

“There being no further business the Lodge of Master Masons was closed 
in due and ancient form. 

“John A. Harrell, Secretary.” 

The lodge continued to hold its meetings at the court house until 
the erection of its two-story brick building located on the corner 
of Fifth Avenue and West Railroad Avenue. The cornerstone of 


Eastman Lodge No. 279 


75 


the building bears the following inscription: “Eastman Lodge No. 
279, F. & A. M. Erected June the 22nd, A. D. 5883. C. T. Latimer, 
W. M.; Harlow Clark, S. W.; J. F. DeLacy, J. W. C. B. Murrell. 
J. T. Colcord, W. B. Whiddon, Building Committee.” 

The lower floor and basement of this building are rented out for 
commercial purposes, while the upper floor is used exclusively for 
a lodge room, and it is said to be one of the nicest lodge halls in 
the State. 


The following officers have served the lodge as Worshipful Master 
and Secretary from its organization to the present date: 

1872— Ira R. Foster . . Worshipful Master John A. Harrell . Secretary 

1873— James Bishop . . Worshipful Master William A. Morgan, Secretary 

1874— Ruben A. Harrell, Worshipful Master Isaac Herrman . Secretary 

1875— C. R. Armstrong . Worshipful Master Isaac Herrman . Secretary- 

1876— C. R. Armstrong . Worshipful Master John A. Harrell . Secretary 

1877— C. R. Armstrong . Worshipful Master John A. Harrell . Secretary 

1878— C. R. Armstrong . Worshipful Master Johnson W. Noles Secretary 

1879— C. R. Armstrong . Worshipful Master James M. Sapp . Secretary 

1880— C. R. Armstrong . Worshipful Master James M. Sapp . Secretary 

1881— C. R. Armstrong . Worshipful Master Samuel T. Rawlins, Secretary 

1882— John A. Harrell . Worshipful Master Benjamin T. Burch, Secretary 

1883— Clement T. Latimer, Worshipful Master William B. Whiddon, Secretary 

1884— Harlow Clark . . Worshipful Master Sol Herrman . . Secretary 

1885— C. T. Latimer . Worshipful Master Sol Herrman . . Secretary 

1886— D. M. Roberts . Worshipful Master James M. Sapp . Secretary 

1887— J. T. Colcord . . Worshipful Master E. B. Milner . . Secretary 

1888— J. T. Colcord . . Worshipful Master J. E. Dean . . Secretary 

1889— J. T. Colcord . . Worshipful Master J. E. Dean . . Secretary 

1890— J. T. Colcord . . Worshipful Master J. E. Dean . . Secretary 

1891— J. T. Colcord . . Worshipful Master J. E. Dean . . Secretary 

1892— J. H. Buchannan, Worshipful Master W. F. Harrell . Secretary 

1893— J. T. Colcord . . Worshipful Master W. F. Harrell . Secretary 

1894— J. T. Colcord . . Worshipful Master James M. Sapp . Secretary 

1895— J. F. DeLacey . . Worshipful Master W. F. Harrell . Secretary 

1896— J. F. DeLacey . . Worshipful Master J. T. Rawlins . Secretary 

1897— E. J. Peacock . . Worshipful Master J. C. Rawlins . . Secretary 

1898— J. D. Taylor . . Worshipful Master J. C. Rawlins . . Secretary 

1899— J. D. Herrman . Worshipful Master J. C. Rawlins . . Secretary 

1900— Harlow Clark . . Worshipful Master John Willcox . Secretary 

1901— J. T. Taylor . . Worshipful Master C. B. Murrell . Secretary 

1902— J. T. Taylor . . Worshipful Master C. B. Murrell . Secretary 

1903— W. J. Williams . Worshipful Master C. B. Murrell . Secretary 

1904— J. B. Clark . . . Worshipful Master C. B. Murrell . Secretary 

1905— J. B. Clark . . . Worshipful Master C. B. Murrell . Secretary 

1906— J. B. Clark . . . Worshipful Master C. B. Murrell . Secretary 

1907— J. B. Clark . . . Worshipful Master C. B. Murrell . Secretary 

1908— J. B. Clark . . . Worshipful Master C. B. Murrell . Secretary 

1909— J. B. Clark . . . Worshipful Master C. B. Murrell . Secretary 

1910— J. D. Taylor . . Worshipful Master C. B. Murrell . Secretary 

1911— C. B. Murrell . . Worshipful Master John A. Harrell . Secretary 

1912— W. P. Cobb . . Worshipful Master John A. Harrell . Secretary 



76 


History of Dodge County 


1913— W. P. Cobb . . 

1914— C. C. Clark . . 

1915— J. H. Milner . . 

1916— J. H. Milner . . 

1917— J. H. Milner . . 

1918— H. M. O’Callaghan, 

1919— H. M. O’Callaghan, 

1920— J. H. Milner . . 

1921— C. G. Horn . . . 

1922— T. C. Clements . 

1923— W. H. Smith . . 

1924— J. H. Milner . . 

1925— J. H. Milner . . 

1926— T. C. Clements 

1927— J. B. Clark . . 

1928— J. B. Clark . . 

1929— J. B. Clark . . 

1930— J. H. McDonald . 

1931— W. P. Cobb . . 


Worshipful Master 
Worshipful Master 
Worshipful Master 
Worshipful Master 
Worshipful Master 
Worshipful Master 
Worshipful Master 
Worshipful Master 
Worshipful Master 
Worshipful Master 
Worshipful Master 
Worshipful Master 
Worshipful Master 
Worshipful Master 
Worshipful Master 
Worshipful Master 
Worshipful Master 
Worshipful Master 
Worshipful Master 


John A. Harrell 
John A. Harrell 
John A. Harrell 
John A. Harrell 
John A. Harrell 
John A. Harrell 
John A. Harrell 
John A. Harrell 
John A. Harrell 
John A. Harrell 
John A. Harrell 
John A. Harrell 
John A. Harrell 
John A. Harrell 
John A. Harrell 
John A. Harrell 
John A. Harrell 
P. M. Burch . 
P. M. Burch . 


Secretary 

Secretary 

Secretary 

Secretary 

Secretary 

Secretary 

Secretary 

Secretary 

Secretary 

Secretary 

Secretary 

Secretary 

Secretary 

Secretary 

Secretary 

Secretary 

Secretary 

Secretary 

Secretary 


Following is a list of the members of the lodge from its organ¬ 
ization to the present who have joined either by initiation or af¬ 


filiation: 


1872— Ira R. Foster, James Bishop, B. A. Herndon R. A. Harrell, John A. 
Harrell, Charles Burch, Jordan Brown, Harlow Clark, Matthew Clark, 
Levi Evans, John McCranie, Arthur C. Page, William H. Harrell, C. D. 
Parkerson, J, S. Thompson, John T. Rozar, J. H. Grimsley, Isaac Herr- 
man, C. B. Murrell, W. A. Morgan, Paleman C. Mills, Lemuel T. Harrell. 

1873— Henry Herrman,, Henry Coleman, William K. Bussey, B. D. Woodward, 
Marcus Foster, James M. Arthur, Dempey Sigler, Alfred L. Burch, 
L. M. Peacock, S. A. Dorsey, Charles A. Armstrong, John H. Ashburn, 
John T. Hughes. 

1874— Thaddeus E. Sumner, J. D. Parkerson, Reuben F. Burch. B. H. Cal¬ 
houn, W. W. Ashburn, William Hamilton. Arthur Walker, Andy Cad- 
well, L. L. Hargrove, William N. Leitch, John M. Clark. 

1875— Hamilton Clark, Joseph Graham, William Yawn, James M. Sapp, Wil¬ 
liam Taylor. 

1876— J. W. Jones, James Harrell, John F. DeLacey, Duncan C. Daniel, 
Charles H. Peacock, S. B. Coody, Robert S. Burton. 

1877— J. W. Noles, D. E. Williams, Mason T. Burbank, C. M. Rozar, Robt. 
Rozar, H. Mays, Thomas J. Dempsey, Albert Reynolds. 

1878— Alex Sessoms. 

1879— William Rogers, Samuel T. Rawlins, William Pitt Eastman. 

1880— John W. Lovett, John W. Taylor, Charlie J. Jones, Wyatt F. Davis, B. T. 
Burch, W. G. Burch. 

1881— Wade H. Coleman, J. D. Taylor, W. J. Buchannan, N. A. McMullin. 

1882— W. B. Whiddon, Ellis W. Bulloch, Reid L. Bush, C. T. Latimer, J. T. 
Colcord, John W. Rogers. 





Eastman Lodge No. 279 


77 


1883— S. H. Lowther, C. D. Woodward, W. F. Harrell, J. M. Woodward, Levi 
Harrell, D. T. Daughtry, Sol Herrman, J. D. Herrman, J. W. Phillips, 
Henry Paris, J. C. Rawlins, A. B. Clayton, J. L. Manning, B. D. Wood¬ 
ward. 

1884— D'. M. Roberts, E. H. Bacon, James D. Knowles, John C. Schofield, J. D. 
Skelton, E. A. Smith, W. M. Howard, V. G. Gress, H. C. Tanner. 

1885— Julius S. Draffin, D. W. Weaver, W. H. Johnson, E. B. Milner. 

1886— J. J. Mumford, John T. Wall, S. D. Eason, E. J. Peacock, B. R. Folsom, 
J. C. Carr, J. E. Dean, L. F. Wooten, P. A. Jessup, W. B. Rogers. 

1887— Willard R. Shaw, W. B. Daniel, J. D. Peacock, James Bishop, Jr., S. J. 
Bruce, M. E. Everett, S. B. Moore, Albert Herrman, A. L. Hobbs, J. R. 
Sheppard, E. R. Carr, J. D. Stokes, J. S. Stevens, W. A. Butler, J. T. 
Reynolds, W. H. Cotter, R. D. Harper, J. J. Hinson, A. G. Williamson, 

B. M. Sandford, W. N. Leitch. 

1888— S. J. Hays, J. H. Wilson, T. J. Buchan, J. H. Buchannan, W. H. Wise. 

1889— Wash Harrell, F. B. Stubbs, W. A. Burks, L. S. Evans, Charles A. Arm¬ 
strong, F. W. Armstrong, W. C. Sheppard, T. D. Loyal. 

1890— N. M. Corder, J. C. Donaldson, James M. Buchan, R. J. Massey, D. M. 
Buchan, A. J. Mumford, E. W. Millican, A. C. Phillips, S. J. Stubbs, 

C. S. Mingus, R. L. Judge, W. M. Clements. 

1891— W. C. Ferrell, J. F. Rogers, B. F. Daniel, James A. Williams, J. M. 
Kimbrough, J. D. Daniel. 

1892— C. P. Raiford, John S. Livingston, W. S. Vanlandingham, B. S. Paris, 
W. H. Coleman, J. E. Wooten, B. B. Jackson, Frank Harrell, J. C. 
Livingston. 

1893— E. J. Thompson, C. E. Stucky, J. C. Brewton. 

1894— W. A. Denson, J. C. Rogers, Jacob Livingston, John Willcox, R. C. 
Gignilliat, E. Herrman, A. R. Colcord, John B. Clark. 

1895— W. I. Livingston, D. A. Autry, W. S. Waite, J. L. Estes. 

1897— James M. Mitchell. 

1898— H. L. Scott, W. A. Burch, D. C. Pierce. 

1899— J. E. Lowery, J. W. Lee. 

1900— C. C. Burch, J. D. Nash, W. P. Harrell. 

1901— John W. Jones, John R. Jones, R. F. Jones, F. T. Parkerson. 

1902— W. J. Widiams, J. D. Lucas, V. T. Bacon, C. A. Hester. 

1903— Shep Allen, T. H. Allen, Warren Butler, E. A. Stuckey, O. M. Methvin, 
J. W. Dawson, M. L. Davis, W. T. Harrell. 

1904— J. A. Harrell, Jr., W. H. Godfrey, T. A. Stuckey, John L. Wooten. 

1905— Harry F. Hirsh, J. B. Holmes, W. W. Phillips, H. H. Preston, John 
Cunard, C. G. Horn, W. P. Cobb, Duncan L. Daniel, E. J. Rainey, Charles 
W. Griffith. 

1906— G. E. Martin, G. R. Hendrix, C. L. Burton, W. V. Harrell, W. L. Parker¬ 
son, John A. Bond, M. A. Burch, J. L. Conley, C. H. Bond, G. A. Cook. 


78 


History of Dodge County 


1907— M. D. Burch, J. D. Parkerson, Sr., L. C. Harrell, J. B. Parkerson, E. C. 
Horsford. 

1908— B. J. Harrell, Harrell Gatlin, P. C. Rawlins, R. B. Edwards, John W. Pea¬ 
cock, E. E. Persons, E. P. Godfrey, D. J. Graham, C. C, Clark. 

1909— P. E. Ward, T. P. Glancey, W. H. Smith, S. J. Hargrove, Walter 
Anthony, 0. R. Bennett. 

1910— D. D. Smith, J. H. Harrell, J. H. Milner, C. R. Wooten, J. C. Wall. 

1911— R. W. Lee, J. H. Williams, W. G. McCart, C. L. Bennett, A. B. Crowe, 
W. A. Wilkinson, E. C. Calhoun. 

1912— C. W. Lancaster, B. I. Brantley, B. R. Stuckey, W. I. Stuckey, R. F. 
Lowery, M. H. Burch, Lovett S. Harrell, A. Harris, W. C. Embry, A. L. 
Smith, B. M. Lewis, W. E. Davison, B. Caplan, W. A. Lowery, Leroy 
Pharr, J. M. Paine, John M. Clark, H. T. Bush, F. H. Herrmann, W. S. 
Milner, J. F. Broach, W. A. Wooten. 

1913— J. M. Schwartz, Lawrence Andrews, Robert T. Casper, John H. Haynes, 
Hector Cameron. 

1914— B. Nitski, James A. Williams, R. L. Stuckey, W. W. Parkerson, W. L. 
Taylor, M. H. Cannon, H. M. O’Callaghan, T. R. Pennington, Harry 
Miller, J. D. Cooper, E. S. Moon, S. N. Boyd, J. H. Weldy. 

1915— H. F. Nicholson, W. J. Daniel, J. D. Harrell, L. M. Clark, W. H. 
Lawrence, J. D. Watkins, C. E. Knight, Roy E. Calhoun. 

1916— M. C. Edwards, R. C. Lewis, A. L. Wilkins, T. D. Hoskins, W. L. 
Parkerson, Jr. 

1917— A. P. Wynne, W. McRae, L. M. Peacock, P. J. Smith, Bob Wynne, H. E. 
Dickens, S. S. Stevens, W. E. Davison, Jr., A. M. Hargrove, J. G. Wil¬ 
liamson, S. H. Goolsby, J. R. Berg. 

1918— M. P. Skelton, M. L. Bush, A. L. Thomas, A. D. Cobia, H. G. Skelton, 
A. J. Law, Jr., L. H. Reynolds, O. T. Sanders, I. J. Parkerson, R. W. 
Robertson, R. F. Burch, Jr. 

1919— Jeter A. Harrell, H. D. Cherry, M. L. Ross, G. M. Parkerson, A. W. Har¬ 
ris, R. T. Strickland, F. F. Stuckey, T. C. Clements, Reuben Brown, C. 
F. Jones, J. N. Gatlin, George T. McRae. 

1920— C. M. Methvin, Jr., J. C, Harrell, E. H. Jessup, B. J. Schwartz, L. D. 
Jessup, R. Z. Sterling, John B. Parkerson, Jr., W. W. Bond, G. L. Eckles, 
J. A. Burch, W. C. Davis, Jr., Theodore Wooten, John J. Vara. 

1921— J. J. Graham, E. R. Taylor, J. Levine, J. A. Lee, Frank Skelton, Fred 
Andrews, John R. Cobb, Charter B. Edwards, Warren A. Coleman, H. L. 
Daniel. 

1922— W. L. Minix, O. M. Skelton, T. II. T. Moore, Morris Miller, T. S. 
Felder, L. M. Coffee, Don G. Lennard, W. A. Duncan, T. R. Wynne. 

1923— Ed H. Wright. 

1924— Roy Wooten, James A. Simmons, Fred Harrell, J. W. Bramblett. 

1927—G. C. Rogers, I. N. Norris, H. G. Nixon, B. B. Eckles, W. F. White, 

J. E. Giddens, M. G. Sapp, Paul S. Smith, E. T. D, West, T. C. Waite. 


Eastman Lodge No. 279 


79 


1928— R. W. Southerland, Arthur Thompson, J. B. Evans, W. D. McCranie, 
H. W. Southerland, L. D. Shipes, E. J. Thompson, A. P. Thompson, H. 
W, Smith. 

1929— M. L. McDaniel, James D. Williams. 

1930— Meyer Caplan. 

1931— Jack Bates, E. P. Brigman, T. H. Sheffield. 



MASONIC LODGE BUILDING, EASTMAN, GA. 
Erected 1883. 


BENCH AND BAR OF DODGE COUNTY. 

To WRITE THE history of the Bench and Bar of Dodge County is to 
write of the men who are and who have been prominent in all that 
looked to the upbuilding of the county. 

But before going into the history of our own Bench we will travel 
back in time one hundred and thirteen years to the time when its 
parent, the Southern Judicial Circuit of Georgia, was created. On 







80 


History of Dodge County 


December the 19th, 1818, an Act was passed creating the Southern 
Judicial Circuit. 

It included that large territory in southern and southwest Georgia 
then recently acquired from the Creek Indians and laid off into the 
counties of Appling, Irwin and Early—a territory greater in size 
than the state of Massachusetts. 

The circuit embraced also, to the north, five older counties: 
Laurens and Montgomery on the Oconee River, and Telfair, Pulaski 
and Twiggs on the Ocmulgee, whose combined area exceeded that 
of Delaware. 

In shape the original Southern Circuit may be likened to a vast 
rectangular edifice seventy miles high, whose foundation, supporting 
Appling on the east, Early on the west, and Irwin in the middle, 
was the Florida boundary from the Chattahoochee to the St. Marys 
River, and crowned by a cupola built of the five river counties, which 
equalled in height the supporting structure and towered upward 
into the very center of the State. 

It may be observed in passing that notwithstanding the tremen¬ 
dous growth of population and resources within the structure be¬ 
neath, it was from that lofty almost central eminence that chimed 
for many a year the pealing note of authority, and during the entire 
period when elections were made by the Legislature, we find the 
almost unfailing source of judges and prosecuting attorneys to have 
been that elevating cluster of river counties whose compact arrange¬ 
ment and nearness to the seat of government at Milledgeville greatly 
facilitated political affiliations. 

The Changing Territory. 

Appling on the east and Early on the west, together with many 
counties carved out of their original territory, having been attached 
to other circuits, 1871 found the Southern in the shape of a great 
irregular tower, one hundred and thirty miles high, with Lowndes, 
Brooks and Thomas at the bottom, Laurens and Pulaski at the top, 
and near the middle Irwin with its remnant of original territory. In 
that year the tower was broken in two by the formation of the 
Oconee, and into this new circuit to the north went the river counties 
carrying along with them all that was left of old Irwin. 


Bench and Bar of Dodge County 


81 


Dodge County was created in October, 1870, from the counties of 
Pulaski, Montgomery, Laurens and Telfair. The county was named 
in honor of Wm. E. Dodge, of New York, who was one of the 
pioneers in the timber industry in this country. As an expression 
of his appreciation of the honor conferred upon him he built and 
presented the county with what was considered at that time a hand¬ 
some court house costing twenty-five or thirty thousand dollars. 

After its creation Dodge County was assigned to the Southern 
Judicial Circuit, and its first session of court was presided over by 
Judge John R. Alexander. The court was held in an old commis¬ 
sary located where the Merchants and Farmers Bank building now 
stands. In 1871 the Legislature created the Oconee Circuit, in which 
Dodge County was given a place. 

Judge A. C. Pate. 

The first duly elected judge was Hon. A. C. Pate, of Hawkinsville, 
who was highly respected on account of the pureness of his char¬ 
acter and the honesty of his dealings with his fellow man. He 
served for thirteen years, from 1872 until 1885. 

Judge C. C. Kibbee. 

Judge C. C. Kibbee succeeded Judge Pate in 1885 and served until 
1889, a term of four years. He was a man of brilliant legal at¬ 
tainments, and made a splendid record on the bench. 

Judge D. M. Roberts. 

Succeeding Judge Kibbee was Judge D. M. Roberts, of Eastman, 
who served his country in the Confederate Army and also repre¬ 
sented his county in the Legislature. He was noted for his quaint 
humor which illuminated many of his utterances from the bench. 
Those who knew him best love to recall his willingness to hear 
patiently the grievances of the humblest people who came before 
him. It is recalled that on one occasion the jury brought in a 
verdict of guilty against a negro whom the Judge believed to be 
innocent. When the verdict was read Judge Roberts told the de¬ 
fendant to stand, and remarked, ‘‘As the jury has seen fit to find 
you guilty it becomes the duty of this Court to pass sentence upon 
you. It is the sentence of the Court that you pay a fine of one 
dollar,” and reaching into his pocket said, “and here is the dollar 
with which to pay the fine.” On another occasion a prominent white 


82 


History of Dodge County 


citizen was before the Judge charged with violating the prohibition 
law. The defendant was convicted, and the Judge in passing sen¬ 
tence told the defendant that he would fine him three hundred 
dollars. At this juncture the defendant remarked, “All right, Judge, 
I have it right here in my jeans,” and the Judge then added “and 
six months on the county chaingang,” asking the defendant at the 
same time if he had that in his jeans also. Judge Roberts served at 
this time for four years, from 1889 until 1893. 

Judge C. C. Smith. 

Judge C. C. Smith succeeded Judge Roberts and served from 1893 
until 1901, a period of eight years. Judge Smith was a very hard 
worker and spent much time in the preparation of his decisions, 
seeking to make them fit in with the law and the evidence that had 
been brought out. 

Judge D. M. Roberts. 

In 1901 Judge Roberts again came to the bench and served an¬ 
other term of four years, retiring in 1905. 

Judge J. H. Martin. 

Judge J. H. Martin, of Hawkinsville, succeeded Judge Roberts in 
1905 and served until 1913, a period of eight years. Judge Martin 
was a lawyer of the Old School, a man who was fearless in speech, 
and who held the confidence of all who knew him. He was known 
as a just Judge and a good man. He also served his country in the 
Confederate Army. He wore a uniform of Confederate grey up to 
the time of his death. 

Judge Elisha D. Graham. 

Judge E. D. Graham, of McRae, succeeded Judge Martin to the 
bench in 1913 and served until 1921, a period of eight years. Judge 
Graham had served as Solicitor-General for a period of eight years 
before ascending to the bench. He was an unassuming man and 
yet he had the courage of his convictions. His utterances from the 
bench were clear-cut and forceful, and no one was ever in doubt 
as to what he meant when he delivered a charge or an opinion. 
Before his elevation to the bench he enjoyed the reputation of being 
one of the best jury lawyers in the circuit. During his eight years 
on the bench he was never reversed by the higher courts but once 


Bench and Bar of Dodge County 


83 


in a criminal case, and he was often called upon to preside on the 
Court of Appeals when the Appellate Judges were disqualified. He 
was noted for his willingness to have cases settled out of court, thus 
renewing the friendships between parties which otherwise would 
have been broken. He retired from politics at the end of his second 
term. 

Judge Eschol W. Graham. 

Judge Eschol Graham, also of McRae, succeeded Judge E. D. Gra¬ 
ham in 1921, and is now serving his third term on the bench, a 
period of twelve years, and has recently been re-elected for another 
term of four years. He is a fearless Judge and is considered one of 
the most brilliant lawyers in the State. He has often presided on the 
Court of Appeals for disqualified Judges. He is noted for his force¬ 
ful charges to both grand and traverse juries, and has seldom been 
reversed by the higher courts on his decisions. He is a man of 
strong convictions and has no hesitancy in expressing himself on 
matters pertaining to the interests of the people whom he serves. He 
conducts his court strictly on legal grounds, and excuses no jurors 
except those who have legal excuses, believing that it is to the best 
interest of the courts to have all jurors serve as drawn. 

Bar of Eastman. 

B. R. Calhoun. 

In the decade from 1880 to 1890 the Eastman bar was looked 
upon as the most brilliant in south Georgia. It was composed of 
men of brains and brilliancy, men who made a wide reputation for 
themselves and the county in which they lived. Among them was 
B. R. Calhoun. He was a man of retiring nature but true to his 
friends. He was a close student of law and as its interpreter had 
few equals. His friends declared that a brilliant judge was spoiled 
by his determination to stick to his practice. 

J. H. Rozar. 

Among the remarkable men of the past who came in touch with 
the bar of Eastman was J. H. Rozar, who for twenty-nine years was 
Judge of the Court of Ordinary and Justice of the Peace in Dodge 
County. He was a man without education, coming out of the coun¬ 
try, but he had a legal mind that readily grasped the intricate prob- 


84 


History of Dodge County 


lems of law. He was widely known because not one of his decisions 
was ever set aside by the higher courts. 

John F. DeLacey. 

During this period John F. DeLacey flourished and made a bril¬ 
liant record as a lawyer. He was a native of New York and began 
practice of law in Appling County, Ga. After coming to Eastman 
he took much interest in the educational work of the city and county. 
He was a gentleman to the manor born and his good breeding 
showed itself in his whole life. He was given to hospitality, a fine 
pleader before a jury, and he was specially gifted as an after-dinner 
speaker. He was also Solicitor-General of the circuit. 

H. W. J. Ham. 

H. W. J. Ham, who was afterwards known as “Snollygoster Ham” 
from a famous lecture he delivered, was another one of the lights of 
this period. He edited the Eastman Times and practiced law. He 
was very popular on account of his ability as a raconteur. He was 
a man of much ability but his success at the bar was not what it 
should have been. He left Eastman and went to Gainesville where 
he edited a paper and became one of America’s most popular hu¬ 
morous lecturers. 

Thomas H. Dawson. 

Thomas H. Dawson, an old man when he came to Eastman to 
practice law, was honored by the bar and the citizens in being 
elected to make the speech accepting the court house presented by 
Mr. Dodge. 

J. E. Wooten, who was regarded as one of the best students at 
the bar, came to Eastman in the seventies, and he never failed to 
make a deep impression on both judge and jury by the logical and 
forceful arguments and appeals he made. 

E. A. Smith was noted among his brethren at the bar as a most 
tireless worker. He prepared his cases very carefully and brought 
to bear upon them all the Supreme Court decisions in kindred cases. 
He foiled many of his opponents by having his cases more carefully 
prepared. 

James Bishop, Jr., was another tireless worker. He enjoyed the 
reputation of being the best office lawyer in Eastman. He was a 
man of social nature and was highly regarded by all classes. 


Bench and Bar of Dodge County 


85 


E. B. Milner, while with the Times Journal , took up the study of 
law and was admitted to the bar. He was noted for his energy in 
looking after the interests of his clients. 

Elias Herrman, a Jew, was regarded as the Demosthenes of the 
Eastman bar. He was looked upon as one of the best criminal 
lawyers in the State, a man of social instinct who numbered his 
friends by the hundreds. 

W. W. Humphries, a very popular man and a successful lawyer, 
practiced for a number of years at the Eastman bar. 

Hon. J. P. Highsmith, of Baxley, for several years Judge of the 
Superior Court of his circuit, practiced his profession for some 
years in Eastman, and here he received much of his training that 
fitted him for the position that he has held with satisfaction to his 
people. 

Harlow Burch, who left the place of Court Stenographer to take 
up the practice of law, was one of the most popular men who ever 
mingled with the legal fraternity of this county. 

Thomas E. Taylor, of Hawkinsville, practiced law here for a 
short time, returning to Hawkinsville. 

Luther A. Hall, who came to Dodge County in 1871, became in¬ 
volved in the famous Dodge land cases. He was tried and con¬ 
victed as being accessory to the murder of John C. Forsyth, an 
agent of the Dodges, and was sent to the Federal prison for life. 
There he died a few years ago. Until the finger of suspicion was 
pointed toward him in the above named case, he enjoyed a lucrative 
practice and was considered one of the very best lawyers in this 
section. 

The late B. R. Calhoun, who was dean of the Eastman bar, had at 
one time associated with him in the practice of law his son, Roy 
E. Calhoun, a graduate of Columbia University, and who was at 
that time the youngest member of the Eastman bar. He is now 
employed as legal advisor to the President of the New York Central 
Railroad in New York City. 

Among the more recent lawyers here is W. A. Wooten, who served 
for one term of four years as Solicitor-General of the circuit. Mr. 
Wooten is a polished gentleman and enjoys a large practice. 


86 


History of Dodge County 


The late J. A. Neese was for a number of years Judge of the City 
Court. He was a man of a most brilliant mind, and enjoyed the 
esteem of a large number of people. 

The late J. H. (Hal) Roberts was for many years Solicitor of 
the City Court, and was considered one of the very best lawyers in 
this section. He fought his cases with a bulldog’s tenacity, and 
enjoyed a large practice. Like his father, the late Judge D. M. 
Roberts, he was possessed of a quaint humor and ready wit that 
made him popular with all classes. In pleading his cases before a 
jury he would rise to heights of eloquence. It is recalled that on 
one occasion while pleading very earnestly and eloquently for his 
client he shouted, “Gentlemen of the jury, the GOOD BOOK says he 
who steals my purse steals trash, but he who steals my good name,” 
at this juncture he noticed that the jury as well as all who were 
in the court room were convulsed with laughter, and realizing that 
he had misquoted the GOOD BOOK, continued, “he who steals my 
good name GETS MY GOAT.” 

Walter M. Clements, who also served at one time as Judge of the 
City Court, was a lawyer who built up for himself a large clientele 
in this county. He was possessed of a keen intellect, and numbered 
his friends by the score. 

In mentioning two of our young lawyers, D. D. Smith and J. Herr- 
man Milner, sons respectively of two former members of the East¬ 
man bar, we are reminded of a verse in a poem by Knox: 

“For we are the same things our fathers have been; 

We see the same sights our fathers have seen; 

We drink the same stream, we feel the same sun. 

And run the same course our fathers have run." 

D. D. Smith, like his father, the late E. A. Smith, is noted among 
his brethren at the bar as a most tireless worker. He has been 
Solicitor of the City Court many years, and is always on the alert 
in preparation of his cases. He also has a large practice in the 
other courts. 

J. Herrman Milner, like his father, the late E. B. Milner, is noted 
for his energy in looking after the interests of his clients. He is 
possessed of a most brilliant mind and stands second to none in the 
legal profession. 


Bench and Bar of Dodge County 


87 


0. J. Franklin, the present Judge of the City Court, which office 
he has held for a number of years, is another lawyer of keen in¬ 
tellect and brilliancy of mind. He also enjoys a large practice in 
the other courts. 

Chas. W. Griffin, late of the Eastman bar, was considered one of 
the brainiest lawyers who ever practiced here. He served a term as 
Judge of the City Court, and in addition practiced extensively in the 
other courts. 

C. W. Atwill, who has practiced here for a number of years, is 
noted for his tireless energy in looking after the interests of his 
clients. He has a large practice and enjoys the confidence of the 
people at large. 

W. M. Morrison at one time was considered one of the best lawyers 
of the Eastman bar and had a large practice, but left Eastman several 
years ago. 

James C. Persons and J. F. Broach also practiced law here for 
a short while several years ago, but both left for other fields. 

M. J. Carswell was another lawyer who sojourned here for a 
short time and practiced the legal profession. He was a brother of 
the Hon. George H. Carswell, recently Secretary of State, and was 
popular with a large number of people of the county. 

Ernest E. Persons is a member of the Eastman bar. He devotes 
the most of his interests to office practice and civil business. He is 
also engaged in the real estate and loan business. He came to Dodge 
County about thirty years ago, and has conducted himself in a 
manner as to win the highest esteem and confidence of every one 
with whom he comes in contact. He has been for many years City 
Recorder. 

A. Russell Ross, next to the youngest member of the Eastman bar 
at present, is a rising young lawyer that has bright prospects for the 
future. He devotes his best efforts to the interests of his clients, 
and is noted for his tenacity in holding on till every means is ex¬ 
hausted for his clients. He is rapidly building up for himself a 
large practice. He is County Attorney, which position he has held 
for several years. 

Will Ed Smith, the youngest member of the bar, is another for 
whom the prospects loom bright as a legal star. He graduated from 


88 


History of Dodge County 


the law school at Mercer University, since which time he has risen 
rapidly in his chosen profession. 

THE EASTMAN RIOT—1882. 

In the early history of Eastman, when the town was only a small 
village, occurred what is known as the “Eastman Riot.” The fol¬ 
lowing account of the riot was told by Mr. W. B. Daniel, an eye 
witness to it, to his daughter, Mrs. Birdie Daniel O’Callaghan, who 
penned it as her father told it to her. 

It was on Sunday, August 6th, 1882, that a big negro camp meet¬ 
ing began, attended by several thousand negroes from the surround¬ 
ing country. A few white people availed themselves of the excursion 
rates, and among them was Jim Harvard, a boy about eighteen years 
of age, from Cochran, who came to visit relatives. 

At that time there were nine drug stores in Eastman, most of which 
were open for the sale of whiskey, there being a law that whiskey 
could be sold only in drug stores. These places were visited by 
the negroes, who soon became intoxicated. In a gambling game 
one negro won another negro’s watch. The negro who had been 
more successful in the game wanted his watch returned, and when 
this was refused he reported the other negro to Marshal J. B. A. 
Buchan, who arrested him. On the way to the jail Mr. Buchan was 
thrown into a ditch by the negro, who then ran. Buchan and A. P. 
Harrell, deputy marshal, began to shoot at the fleeing negro, who 
was killed by a shot which was afterwards said or proved to have 
been fired by the negro who caused the arrest. The negroes, in a 
drunken condition, became infuriated over the killing and forming 
a wild mob began to pursue the officers. Buchan escaped without 
injury, while Pete Harrell was caught and cut by the negroes, but 
succeeded in getting away. During the shooting Harvard, who had 
just alighted from the train, ran behind a house to escape a stray 
bullet. The negroes, thinking he was one of the officers, ran in hot 
pursuit. He ran down Third Avenue and up to the residence of Mr. 
Wright Harrell and hid under the house. Mr. A. H. (Boy) McRae, 
Mrs. Wright Harrell and grandson, Mr. W. B. Daniel, who was just 
recovering from typhoid fever, were the only people in the house 
at the time. Mr. McRae and Mr. Daniel were upstairs, and hearing 
the shooting, the latter came down to ascertain the cause of the 


The Eastman Riot 


89 


disturbance. The increasing mob had surrounded the house, shoot- 
ing, howling, throwing bricks, etc., and were held at bay by Mr. 
Daniel, whose only weapon was a pocket knife, until Mr. Wright 
Harrell came from his place of business. Both talked with the mob, 
assuring them their man was not there, but could do nothing with 
them. Dr. Latimer and son, Fleming Latimer, Jordan Brown, and 
the Methodist minister, Thompson, came to give them their assist¬ 
ance. The negroes had sent for oil to burn the house, so seeing that 
nothing else could be done, and not knowing that young Harvard 
had in the meantime concealed himself in the house in one of the 
bedrooms under a bed, Mr. Daniel proposed that they select three 
sober men from their number to search the house. This the mob 
refused to do, fearing their men would be killed, but finally agreed 
on five or six to enter and make a search. Others, seeing their 
selected number going in, tore down the fence at the corner, and 
with that the entire mob stormed the house. At the point of weapons 
Mrs. Harrell was forced to unlock all doors. When Harvard was 
dragged from his hiding place he was recognized by Jordan, an old 
negro man, who told the mob that he had nursed this boy from 
infancy and that they had the wrong man. Wild with excitement 
and blood-thirsty, they attempted to beat Harvard over his head with 
fence pickets, when Jordan shielded the young man by throwing his 
arms over the boy’s head. They dragged Harvard into the hall and 
halted just inside the front door, when pistols were pointed at his 
head and some one of them fired and killed him. Jordan, support¬ 
ing him in his arms, carried him to the front gate and laid him on 
the walk. 

Ella Moore, a negro woman, drunken and screaming “You killed 
my sister’s child,” and pulling his head back by his hair, made 
several desperate efforts to cut his throat with a razor. Jordan 
shoved her back, saying he was dead. She then accused Jordan of 
siding with the white people, and in order to protect himself from 
the negroes who were about to turn on him, he had to pretend to 
take sides with them. The negroes by this time were yelling and 
shouting, “Kill any white man except Yankee, don’t kill Yankee.” 
The news quickly spread and soon numbers of men and officers ap¬ 
peared and began arresting the offenders, which filled the jail to 
capacity. Many escaped. The court trial lasted thirty days; six men 
and one woman were sentenced to hang and eighteen were sentenced 


90 


History of Dodge County 


to the coal mines, which was at that time a horrible punishment 
compared with the chaingangs of today. 

It was a day of horrors for the people of Eastman, one which has 
remained fresh in the memories of the citizens to the present day. 
Several deaths occurred during the day from shock and fright. 

THE DODGE LANDS AND LITIGATIONS. 

We are indebted to Judge J. N. Talley of the Federal Court in 
Macon for the story of the Dodge Lands and Litigations. Judge 
Talley was connected with the Federal Court and participated in 
the trials had before that body during all the years of litigation, he 
having been appointed by the court as commissioner to receive evi¬ 
dence in the different cases submitted. 

Before going into the story of the long years of litigations we 
wish to state that the people against whom these cases were brought 
had purchased these lands in good faith, believing the transactions 
legal. Many of the people had purchased the lands, lived on them 
for years and reared families, only to find that they were really not 
in legal possession of same. This naturally caused them to feel 
bitterly against the Dodges, because they felt that they were being 
cheated out of their rightful claims to the property bought and paid 
for by them. But to understand the technicalities of the laws re¬ 
garding the titles to these lands we will have to read the court 
decisions through. We give in part a speech prepared and read 
by Judge Talley before the Forty-Second Annual Session of the 
Georgia Bar Association at Tybee Island, Georgia, June 4, 1925. 

Judge Talley says: 

“At a session of the United States Court held in Macon on May 28, 1923, 
Judge William H. Barrett signed an order disposing of the case of Norman W. 
Dodge vs. Lucius L. Williams and three hundred and eighty other defendants. 
This judicial act marked the end of the Dodge litigation which had been pend¬ 
ing in that court during forty years.” 

To discover its remote fountainhead and as well the more im¬ 
mediate causes of the great controversy, we must go back in time 
ninety-two years, in distance journey to the Pine-tree State, and trace 
for half a century the story of the Dodge lands. 

In 1832 Stephen Chase, a distinguished lawyer, was living in 
Fryeburg, Maine. The substantial colonial house which he built 


Dodge Lands and Litigations 


91 


and occupied in that historic village is yet standing, and across the 
street from it is still pointed out the academy in which Daniel Web¬ 
ster first taught school. 

Chase was also a Democratic politician, and among his friends 
were Augustin S. Clayton, a Congressman from Georgia, and Joseph 
M. White, a delegate in Congress from the territory of Florida. 
Through these Southern statesmen, the New Englander became con¬ 
vinced that the timber lands of south Georgia and Florida offered a 
splendid opportunity for investment and speculation. 

The following year he came to the capital of Georgia, and there 
met Peter J. Williams, to whom had been granted by the State two 
hundred and seventy-five thousand acres of wild land in what was 
originally Wilkinson County. Chase was entertained by Williams at 
his residence, which is today one of the most notable of the many 
imposing homes in the city of Milledgeville that survive from ante¬ 
bellum times. Enthusiastic over the contemplated purchase, the 
visitor returned to Maine. 

At Portland was soon formed an association, known as the Geor¬ 
gia Land Company, and it was agreed to invest not over forty 
thousand dollars in the purchase of pine lands in Georgia, at a 
price not to exceed ten cents an acre. 

The promoters sent to Georgia as their agents Abram Colby, gen¬ 
tleman, of New Hampshire; Samuel E. Crocker, merchant, of Port¬ 
land; and Stephen Chase, Esquire. Three hundred thousand acres 
of land were purchased by them from Peter J. Williams, who, to 
complete the necessary quantity, had acquired an additional twenty- 
five thousand acres. 

The fifteen hundred lots embraced in the purchase then lay in 
the counties of Laurens, Montgomery, Telfair and Pulaski, and were 
widely dispersed over that mighty primeval forest lying between the 
Oconee and the Ocmulgee and extending to the junction of those 
rivers to form the Altamaha. 

At that time water afforded the principal means of heavy trans¬ 
portation, commercial fertilizers were unknown, and cultivated fields 
were usually confined to alluvial bottoms. So we find in this, as in 
other sections of the State, large plantations adjacent to the rivers. 

It is perhaps not generally known that many of the planters living 


92 


History of Dodge County 


in the four counties named were among the outstanding men of that 
day. 

General David Blackshear, in Laurens, held almost feudal sway 
upon his country estate, “Springfield,” overlooking the Oconee. The 
memory of the planter is perpetuated by the capital of Pierce, while 
that of his estate is preserved in the county seat of Effingham. On 
the Oconee also lived Governor George M. Troup, and the name of 
his famous plantation in Laurens is now borne by the beautiful city 
of Valdosta. On the Ocmulgee, in Talfair, was the home of General 
Mark Willcox, and that of his father-in-law, General John Coffee, 
who, when a member of Congress in Washington, lived at the White 
House with his friend, Andrew Jackson. 

The great expanse between the two rivers was sometimes called 
the “pine barrens.” It was then very sparsely settled, except in a 
few localities in Telfair and Montgomery where the pasturage af¬ 
forded by the wiregrass of the upland and the cane in the creeks 
had early attracted from North Carolina a large company of High¬ 
landers, who emigrated from Scotland because of their continued 
loyalty to the House of Stuart. Of them the historian, George C. 
Smith, says: 

“They were a thrifty people and were independent from the start. They 
had their kirk and their schools, and had services in their native Gaelic . . . 
There is no part of Georgia where there are so many Highlanders, and there 
was nowhere a more contented and well-to-do people than those who dwelt 
in these pine forests. A finer type of people than the Scotch who settled so 
largely Telfair, Tattnall and Montgomery counties was not to be found in 
America.” (“The story of Georgia and the Georgia people,” p. 224). 

The deed from Williams, dated February 28, 1834, was taken in 
the individual names of Colby, Chase and Crocker. By another pur¬ 
chase was acquired a tract of twenty thousand acres in Telfair 
County. This included the Robert Flournoy plantation on the 
Auchee Hatchee River and a mill near the mouth of that important 
stream, now more generally known as the Little Ocmulgee. 

Upon the application of Chase and others, a charter was granted 
to the Georgia Lumber Company by the Legislature of this State on 
December 17, 1834, and in the following month all of the lands in 
question were conveyed to that corporation by Colby, Chase and 
Crocker, as its agents. 


Dodge Lands and Litigations 


93 


Superintendents and experienced lumbermen were sent down from 
Maine. The old Flournoy mill was put in operation and became, 
it is said, the largest sawmill in the South. Between two and three 
hundred people were employed. Lumber was drifted down the 
Altamaha. The old steamboat “Macon” was purchased in 1835. 
Cottages were erected about the mill and to the colony was given the 
name Lumber City. The present town of that name is not far from 
the original site. The capital stock of the company was increased 
to $200,000 and its shares were freely sold in Boston and New York. 
For several years there was the appearance of great prosperity. 

Abram Colby, one of the promoters, visited the mills, but spent 
much of his time about Brunswick. He knew that the waterpower 
at Lumber City was insufficient and uncertain, and became interested 
in a movement to construct a canal from Darien to Brunswick. His 
plan was to raft logs down the Altamaha to Darien, and thence 
through the proposed canal to Brunswick, where it was designed to 
erect steam sawmills. In order to encourage and give publicity to 
this project, Colby joined with Messrs. Dexter, Rice, Davis and 
Thomas P. Carnes and established the first newspaper published in 
Brunswick. Upon his suggestion, Charles Davis, of Portland, Maine, 
was engaged as editor. In the language of the Georgia Gazetteer , 
“The Brunswick Advocate sent out its first rays of light in June, 
1837.” 

The contemplated canal was not constructed. The Lumber Com¬ 
pany was heavily indebted to the Bank of Western New York at 
Rochester. It became increasingly difficult to finance the mills. The 
Flournoy plantation showed an enormous loss. Brooks, its man¬ 
ager, had been “highly recommended,” but appears to have had no 
experience in farming, his previous occupation having been that of 
a leather dresser in Boston. 

By an amendment to its charter in 1838, the Georgia Lumber 
Company was given many banking privileges, and the right to 
transfer its property as security for debt. This last power was 
quickly and fully utilized. All of its property was soon conveyed 
to the Fund Commissioner of the State of Indiana to cover obliga¬ 
tions that could not be met. 

The end was at hand. By 1842, those in charge and most of the 
employees had returned to Maine. The cutting of timber ceased. 


94 


History of Dodge County 


The lands were abandoned. Actual possession and the title parted. 
The Flournoy plantation grew up in bushes, the Auchee Hatchee 
River flowed through the broken dam, shy swamp birds sang in the 
ruins of the mill, and the pines in safety slumbered, while the 
vagrant title wandered long in distant states. 

Title passed out of the lumber company, and during nine years 
Indiana owned, of the territory of Georgia, five hundred square 
miles. From the Governor of Indiana the title passed through 
several links to William Chauncey and others of New York. There, 
caught by the outbreak of the War Between the States, it remained 
for a time captive in the enemy country. Peace restored, it went to 
William Pitt Eastman, of New Hampshire, who became owner in 
1868. 

In that year A. G. P. Dodge, William Pitt Eastman, William 
Chauncey and others organized the Georgia Land and Lumber Com¬ 
pany, under the laws of New York, and established an office in Geor¬ 
gia, at Normandale, so named for Norman W. Dodge. The president 
of the corporation was William E. Dodge, the father of A. G. P. 
Dodge, George E. Dodge and Norman W. Dodge. Born in Connecti¬ 
cut, he had become a wealthy merchant of New York, and about this 
time purchased the famous country estate of John Couper at Can¬ 
nons Point, on St. Simons Island. He was a Republican in politics 
and had represented New York in Congress. 

Dodge and his associates proposed to develop on a mammoth 
scale the timber resources of the lands purchased by Eastman in 
Telfair, Laurens, Pulaski and Montgomery Counties. 

The coming at this time of these capitalists was hailed by the 
war-impoverished people of this section as the harbinger of an era 
of peace and prosperity. A village was called Chauncey. A town 
was laid out in the heart of the pine belt and named for William 
Pitt Eastman. A county was created, and the Legislature, in 1870, 
added to the gilded roll of heroes, statesmen and benefactors memo¬ 
rialized by the counties of Georgia the name of William E. Dodge. 
(A letter communicating to William E. Dodge the action of the 
Georgia Legislature was couched in the following language: “Ap¬ 
preciating your successful efforts, as chairman of the Chamber of 
Commerce of New York, in inducing Congress to remove the burden 
of taxation from the great staple of our State and of the South; 


Dodge Lands and Litigations 


95 


mindful also of the great interest taken by yourself and friends in 
the commercial prosperity of our State, Georgia has, by an Act of 
her Legislature, given the new county your name.” Mr. Dodge 
erected at his own expense a court house at Eastman, the county 
seat, and presented it to the county authorities.) 

The lands in question were formally conveyed to the Georgia 
Land and Lumber Company, and the great development began. 
Gigantic sawmills were erected on St. Simons and supplied by 
timber rafted down the Altamaha. Others were built on the re¬ 
cently completed Macon and Brunswick Railroad, and logs were 
brought in on tramways extending for miles out into the forests. 
Large distilleries were constructed for the production of turpentine 
and rosin. 

At once claimants under tax deeds sprang up in every direction to 
dispute the title of the corporation. The State of Indiana had 
failed to pay its taxes for the year 1844. A fi. fa. against the Geor¬ 
gia Lumber Company had been issued by James Boyd, Tax Collector 
of Telfair County. It had been levied upon the entire acreage 
formerly owned by the company, and hundreds of lots had been 
sold, many at private sale, the usual price being about six cents a 
lot. 

For relief the Georgia Land and Lumber Company, a foreign cor¬ 
poration, in 1876 appealed to the United States Court at Savannah. 
Through Richard K. Hines, as solicitor, a bill was filed against 
Josiah Paine and twenty others. Paine was claiming thirty-one lots 
under a tax receipt of $1.93. The defendants were represented by 
John M. Guerard and W. W. Paine. Two other similar suits were 
filed, one being against W. W. Paine, who, himself, was claiming 
sixteen lots. On final hearing the tax sale was declared void by 
Judge Erskine. 

At the next session of the Legislature, in 1877, an act was passed 
requiring all foreign corporations holding more than five thousand 
acres of land in Georgia to incorporate under its laws within one 
year. Two days before that law became effective, the Georgia Land 
and Lumber Company conveyed all its lands to George E. Dodge, 
a citizen of New York, but a natural person. The title remained in 
George E. Dodge, and his successor, Norman W. Dodge, also a 


96 


History of Dodge County 


citizen of New York, but the development continued to be carried 
on by foreign corporations. 

The turpentine and lumber industry were now assuming large 
proportions throughout southern Georgia, and hordes of squatters 
poured into all those sections where grew the long leaf pine. 

Dodge sought the State courts, the small amount involved in the 
individual cases not being sufficient to give the Federal court juris¬ 
diction. Beginning in 1877, more than two hundred and fifty eject¬ 
ment cases were filed in five counties. His local attorney was John 
F. DeLacey. 

Appearing for the defendants, frequently, was Luther A. Hall, of 
Eastman. He had been a school teacher, was a lawyer of ability and 
skilful in ejectment practice. Opposing a New York plaintiff, before 
a local jury, Hall was seldom at a disadvantage. 

In this litigation, Dodge relied upon what was known as his “short 
chain of title.” An important link extending from 1834 to 1875, 
consisted of deeds from the executor and heirs of Peter J. Williams 
to William Pitt Eastman, conveying the same lands sold by Williams 
to Colby, Chase and Crocker. 

Oliver H. Briggs, from Massachusetts, a clerk in the office of 
Dodge’s land agent, knew that the deed from Colby, Chase and 
Crocker to the Georgia Lumber Company had been lost, that it had 
not been properly executed and was not entitled to record. This 
information was imparted to Henry G. Sleeper, a lawyer, also from 
Massachusetts, but then living in Eastman. Hall himself had dis¬ 
covered, as he thought, many defects in Dodge’s recorded title, and 
also believed that the State of Indiana could not hold lands in 
Georgia. 

Hall, securing the co-operation of Briggs and Sleeper, ferreted 
out the heirs of Colby, Chase and Crocker and procured from them 
deeds conveying their supposed interest in the Dodge lands to Silas 
P. Butler, of Massachusetts, a clerk in the office of J. L. Colby, a 
son of Abram Colby. The three hundred thousand acres of Silas 
P. Butler were then advertised for sale at low prices and on liberal 
terms. The slogan employed was “Homes for the Homeless.” Eager 
buyers thronged the land office opened in Eastman by Butler’s land 
agents, Briggs, Hall and Sleeper. Luther A. Hall became the hero 


Dodge Lands and Litigations 


97 


of the hour, and at the crest of his popularity in 1883 was elected 
to the Legislature by the people of the county named for William 
E. Dodge. 

The rival title drove Dodge to his long chain of conveyances, but 
at the same time delivered his adversaries into the equity jurisdic¬ 
tion of the dreaded Federal court. 

In 1884 George E. Dodge filed his hill in the United States Circuit 
Court at Macon. The defendants were Briggs, Hall and Sleeper, 
fifty persons who had purchased from them, the heirs of Colby, 
Chase and Crocker, and Silas P. Butler. 

The plaintiff set up his title through Williams, Colby, Chase and 
Crocker, the Georgia Lumber Company, and the State of Indiana, 
and prayed that it be declared valid, that the deeds to Butler be 
cancelled, and that the defendants be perpetually enjoined from 
asserting the rival title or in any way interfering with plaintiff’s 
possession and ownership of the lands in dispute. The plaintiff was 
represented by Robert S. Lanier, Clifford Anderson, and R. K. Hines, 
the principal defendants by Hall, Sleeper, C. C. Kibbee and John H. 
Martin. 

John Erskine was District Judge, but the early orders were signed 
by Judge J. W. Locke of the Southern District of Florida. Before 
the final hearing John Erskine retired and Emory Speer succeeded 
him as judge. The hearing extended over five days. The volu¬ 
minous testimony, taken by deposition, showed that the lands had 
been purchased from Williams by Colby, Chase and Crocker, as 
agents and with the money of the promoters in Maine, who subse¬ 
quently organized the Georgia Lumber Company. It was held by 
the court that title vested in that company regardless of the defec¬ 
tively executed deed. 

In disposing of the contention that the State of Indiana could not 
hold lands in Georgia, Judge Speer said: 

“It must be understood that when the State of Indiana bought these lands, 
it came as a subject and not as a sovereign. If the State of Indiana is to be 
regarded as an alien, it is laid down in Washburn on Real Property that an 
alien may purchase and hold lands against all the world except the State; 
and Briggs, Hall and Sleeper may not say with Louis XIV: ‘I am the state.’ ” 
(27 Fed. 160). 


93 


History of Dodge County 


On April 5, 1836, a final decree was entered granting the relief 
sought by the bill and perpetually enjoining the defendants, as 
prayed. 

Alex. N. Sexton, the land agent of Dodge, had printed thousands 
of handbills, and Ed McRae, just entering his long service as woods¬ 
man, traveled throughout the five counties posting and distributing 
the circulars proclaiming that Dodge had the true title and quoting 
the injunction order signed “Emory Speer, United States Judge.” 

The bill in this case was the beginning of the Dodge litigation in 
the Federal court at Macon, but the final decree was not to mark its 
end. 

A few months later, on the ground of local prejudice against the 
plaintiff, Dodge vs. Dodson, et al., was removed to the Federal court 
from the Superior Court of Dodge County. Luther A. Hall was 
attorney for the defendants. Judge Speer, by decree, rendered in 
1886, declared defendants’ entire chain of title to five lots a forgery, 
cancelled the deeds, and enjoined the Clerk of the Superior Court, 
a defendant, from recording certain deeds forged by Dodson. 

Among the important cases filed in the Federal court during the 
succeeding eight years were Dodge vs. Vaughn, Dodge vs. Wood¬ 
ward, et al., Dodge vs. Laurens Lumber Co., et al., Dodge vs. Powell 
and twenty others, Dodge vs. Cadwell and eighty-nine others. 

The litigation was not confined to the Federal court. In many 
cases the State court was of necessity the forum. There Luther A. 
Hall contended that the final decree of the Federal court was not 
admissible in aid of Dodge’s title, as against defendants not parties 
to the decree. The weakness of Dodge’s “short chain” had already 
been exposed by Hall. It was impracticable in each case for Dodge 
to rely upon his long chain of conveyances and submit the elaborate 
proof, upon which the final decree of the Federal court was based, 
in order to show a perfect equity himself as plaintiff. The serious 
difficulty confronting Dodge was soon removed by a decision of the 
Supreme Court of Georgia. 

Upon the trial in 1889 of Dodge vs. Spiers, ejectment in Telfair 
Superior Court, the plaintiff introduced his “short chain” of title, 
which included a deed from the heirs of Peter J. Williams to Wil¬ 
liam Pitt Eastman. Spiers, through his attorney-at-law, Luther A. 


Dodge Lands and Litigations 


99 


Hall, tendered a copy of the deed from Peter J. Williams to Colby, 
Chase and Crocker, thus breaking plaintiff’s chain. Plaintiff in re¬ 
buttal offered the decree of the United States court in Dodge vs. 
Briggs? Hall and Sleeper, the heirs of Colby, Chase and Crocker, 
et al. Judgment was for the defendant Spiers. It was reversed, 
the Supreme Court saying: 

“The court below held that this record and decree of the United States 
Court did not show title in Dodge; and this ruling we think was error. We 
think the effect of the decree was to put into Dodge a perfect equity, and as 
to the heirs of Colby, Chase and Crocker his equity was complete; so that he 
could maintain and recover upon his equitable title.” (85 Ga. 585). 

Dodge’s title had been recognized by both the State and Federal 
courts, but the fight against him continued. Parties to the suit of 
Dodge vs. Briggs, Hall and Sleeper, and bound by the decree of 
the Federal court, did not long cease their activity. Luther A. Hall, 
the chief counsel for the defendants, became the leader of those 
defying the court’s injunction. At the instance of John C. Forsyth, 
agent of Dodge, rules for contempt were issued. A sensational trial 
was had before Judge Speer in March, 1890. Dodge was repre¬ 
sented by R. K. Hines, Hill and Harris, and Lanier & Anderson, 
while for Hall appeared as counsel Marion Erwin, Alexander Proud- 
fit and James A. Thomas. Hall was adjudged guilty and sentenced 
to five months’ imprisonment in Chatham County jail. 

Growing out of the contempt proceeding was an indictment by 
the grand jury of the United States court charging Hall with per¬ 
jury. He was later tried and convicted, but sentence was deferred. 
The prosecution was conducted by John L. Hardeman, special United 
States Attorney, the defense by Bacon and Rutherford and Dessau 
and Bartlett. (U. S. vs. Hall, 44 Fed. 864.) 

Released from jail, Hall again announced as a candidate for the 
Legislature. In the active campaign he posed as a martyr who had 
suffered imprisonment in the cause of the people. He denounced 
Dodge, his agent, Forsyth, and the Federal court. 

There were some eight or nine who had gotten themselves so 
deeply involved in the land troubles that they seem to have come 
to the conclusion that something desperate had to be done to over¬ 
throw Mr. Dodge in the successful assertion of his rights, or they 
themselves would be overwhelmed when their trespasses on the 


100 


History of Dodge County 


Dodge lots were brought to light. Hoping that by striking terror 
into the hearts of Mr. Dodge and his agents the former would be 
forced to abandon the prosecution of the rules then pending in the 
Federal court, desist from further proceedings to carry the decree 
in favor of his title into execution, and make terms and concessions 
at their dictation, sprang the most diabolical, cold-blooded conspir¬ 
acy and murder that has ever blackened the annals of our State. John 
C. Forsyth, Dodge’s agent, was the victim. These men hired for this 
dastardly deed a negro by the name of Rich Lowery or Rich Her¬ 
ring, a notorious outlaw and desperado who had come to this section 
from North Carolina to work turpentine. He belonged to a peculiar 
mixed race of people who have their principal habitat at a small 
town or village in North Carolina known as “Scuffletown” from the 
characteristic disorders of the population. They are said to be a 
mixed race of white, Indian and negro blood and are usually desig¬ 
nated as “Scuffletonians.” “Lowery, when employed to kill Forsyth, 
did not know him by sight. During the period he was at the home 
of one of these plotters waiting for the word to go on his mission, it 
was learned that Forsyth would be at Chauncey on October the first. 
The farmer loaded up a wagon with a supply of eggs, butter and 
country produce and, in company with Lowery, set out for Chauncey. 
Before reaching there the Scuffletonian separated from him and they 
went into town apparently as strangers to each other. The farmer 
found Forsyth, and going up to him, made some remarks in the 
nature of pleasantry and touched him on the arm. Lowery, who 
was standing near, understood the signal, the victim was known, and 
the object of their visit was accomplished .”—Marion Erwin , in Land 
Pirates. 

On the evening of October 7th John C. Forsyth was in his com¬ 
fortable home at supper, his wife and children about him. (This 
home was in Normandale, now Suomi, and the home is the large 
two-story residence near the highway and is at present owned by 
Mathias Burch.) Having finished the meal, he arose and, lighting 
a cigar, walked into the living room, where he sat down in an easy 
chair. Outside a gentle rain was falling. The dark Scuffletonian 
stood peering through a window, and leisurely aimed his gun at the 
designated victim. Startled by the report, young Nellie Forsyth 
rushed to her stricken father, then braving the near presence of his 


Dodge Lands and Litigations 


101 


assassin, ran out into the night for a physician. Within a few hours 
John C. Forsyth was dead, and the immediate object of a great 
conspiracy had been accomplished. 

The identity of the murderers for a time remained a mystery. A 
month passed, when a relative of one of them casually and unwit¬ 
tingly divulged the details of the conspiracy and the names of the 
assassins to one whom he thought knew much of the murder and 
was in sympathy with its purpose. After consulting his father and 
his friend, Judge W. L. Grice, this man communicated the informa¬ 
tion to R. Oberly, the agent of Dodge, although in so doing he ran 
counter to his business interest and imperiled his personal safety. 

The first man arrested was taken to the office of the District At¬ 
torney in Macon. Overcome by remorse, this man confessed his 
part and told all about the plot, naming those who had taken part 
in it. True bills were returned by the grand jury of the United 
States circuit court against ten. A large reward was offered for 
Rich Lowery, who had fired the fatal shot, but he could not be 
found. Marion Erwin, in his account of the conspiracy trial, says 
that after the murder Rich Lowery went to Montgomery County, 
deposited two hundred dollars with an old colored man, and “sport¬ 
ing a new suit of clothes and a fine gold watch, he cut quite a swell 
among his fellows,” that he was engaged to carry a raft down the 
river, and returning stopped at Jesup where, in a barber shop, he 
saw a copy of the Macon Telegraph giving an account of the arrest 
of the men involved in the conspiracy, that he made his way back 
to the colored man in Montgomery County, received his money, and 
“plunging into the thicket he disappeared, and that is the last au¬ 
thentic account we have of Lowery.” 

Indictments framed under 5508, Rev. Stat., charged that a con¬ 
spiracy had been formed by the defendants to injure, threaten, op¬ 
press and intimidate Norman W. Dodge who had succeeded George 
E. Dodge as owner of the lands in question, because he had exercised 
and was exercising his right to prosecute in the United States court 
rules for contempt for violation of the injunction granted by the 
final decree in Dodge vs. Briggs, Hall and Sleeper. It was further 
charged that in pursuance of the conspiracy Lowery had murdered 
Dodge’s agent, Forsyth, and that the other defendants were acces- 


102 


History of Dodge County 


sories before the fact to the murder. (See U. S. vs. Lancaster, 44 
Fed. 885.) 

The defendants at once moved in the Supreme Court of the United 
States for permission to file a petition for a writ of habeas corpus 
on the ground that the matters charged in the indictment did not 
make an offense cognizable by the circuit court. The motion was 
denied. (137 U. S. 393.) 

The trial began at Macon on December 8, 1890. The court room 
was crowded. One hundred and forty witnesses were in attendance. 
Four hundred jurors had been summoned. Friends of the prisoners 
from five counties struggled for a look at the trial or a word of the 
proceedings. 

The prisoners were in a group. Near them were their attorneys, 
A. 0. Bacon, Washington Dessau, Charles L. Bartlett and C. C. 
Smith. Hugh V. Washington represented the one who accompanied 
Lowery a part of the way when he went on his murderous mission. 

At the desk of the District Attorney was Marion Erwin. On the 
second day of the trial he was joined by the special counsel of the 
Government, Fleming G. duBignon, who had just completed his 
service as President of the Senate and shortly before had ended a 
brilliant term as Solicitor-General of the Eastern Circuit. 

The gravity of the offense charged, the novelty of the jurisdic¬ 
tional questions involved, and the widespread public interest the 
case had aroused, were to stir to the highest pitch of effort, all these 
eminent counsel engaged. Not attorneys in the case, but represent¬ 
ing Norman W. Dodge, were Walter B. Hill, later to become Chan¬ 
cellor of the State University, and his law partner, N. E. Harris, a 
future Governor of Georgia. 

Judge Emory Speer was on the bench. Distinguished as a lawyer 
and speaker, as a prosecuting officer in both the State and Federal 
courts, and as Congressman, now in the prime of his splendid mental 
and physical vigor, for five years he had been District Judge. 

All preliminaries disposed of, the fight now centered on the jury. 

The first important witness was young Nellie Forsyth, whose de¬ 
scription of her father’s death was calculated to give to the prosecu¬ 
tion’s case from the outset a tone of tragedy. Coming into the court 
room she was somewhat confused by the gaze of so many men, and 


Dodge Lands and Litigations 


103 


seeing two girls, she took her seat beside them. They were the 
motherless daughters of one of the prisoners. This accidental asso¬ 
ciation of the innocent victim of the crime and the equally innocent 
victims of its consequences perhaps diminished the dramatic effect 
of her appearance as a witness. But on the stand, her modest 
demeanor and the simple story of her awful experience created a 
profound impression, and as she walked away there seemed to follow 
a wave of sympathy that so winsome a girl should have been or¬ 
phaned in so tragic a manner. 

Witness after witness was called during a period of sixteen days. 
The attorneys were constantly on the alert and no vantage point 
escaped them. Always an interested audience keenly followed the 
proceedings. Three days were consumed in arguments to the jury. 
Marion Erwin opened for the prosecution. Hugh V. Washington, 
Charles L. Bartlett, C. C. Smith and A. O. Bacon followed for the 
defense, and Fleming duBignon closed. The facts and circumstances 
were variously assembled and presented according to the genius and 
skill of each of these masters of forensic oratory and fused by the 
fire of eloquence into an image of the truth as he beheld it. The 
concluding argument of duBignon has been termed the most eloquent 
jury speech of his career. As he marshaled the evidence and went 
from one flight of oratory to another, it was easy to perceive that 
he was fast brushing from the minds of the jury all lingering doubts 
of the guilt of the accused. He was interrupted. An attorney for 
the defense, after squirming under the onslaught, arose and made 
some objection. The courtly duBignon, turning toward the ruffled 
attorney, raised his hand and, as he let it slowly fall with a move¬ 
ment of graceful agitation, said, “The wounded pigeon flutters.” 
The angry scene and the subsequent apology have been forgotten, 
but duBignon’s cameo-like profile, exquisite poise and elegance of 
gesture have converted that trifling incident into an enduring 
memory. 

In concluding his able and comprehensive charge, Judge Speer 
deprecated those ad captandam observations of counsel which “drop 
the poison of prejudice into the mind of the unsuspecting juror and 
thus palsy and paralyze his best and most honorable efforts in the 
direction of a stern and inflexible performance of duty.” (44 Fed. 
896.) 


104 


History of Dodge County 


All the defendants on trial were convicted except one, and all 
those convicted were sentenced to imprisonment in the Ohio State 
Penitentiary. One was given ten years, three were sentenced to 
imprisonment for life, and one received a sentence of six years. 

It was commonly believed that Rich Lowery would never suffer 
for the crime he had committed, but years later the truth became 
known that, far from escaping punishment, he had been the first of 
the guilty to meet his doom. Some of the conspirators, mistrusting 
and fearing the hired assassin, had again turned murderers. This 
time they did their own work and under the black water of a stagnant 
pool deep in a cypress swamp they left the body of the Scuffletonian. 

The criminal cases having been disposed of, attention was again 
directed to the many civil cases pending in the courts. 

The easy current of that litigation in the State courts however 
was obstructed in 1894 and diverted to the Federal court. On the 
29th of August of that year the Supreme Court of Georgia, in 
Bussey et al. vs. Dodge, 94 Ga. 584, argued at the October term, 
1893, in effect overruled its former decision in Dodge vs. Spiers, 
and virtually sustained the contention made in the latter case by 
Luther A. Hall, on the occasion of perhaps his last appearance as 
counsel in Georgia’s highest court. 

Dodge had filed in the Superior Court of Dodge County a suit 
against Bussey et al. and relied upon his title traced through Colby, 
Chase and Crocker and the decree of the Federal court. The de¬ 
fendants were represented by E. A. Smith. There was a judgment 
in favor of Dodge. This was reversed by the Supreme Court, and 
it was held: 

“If the case of Dodge vs. Spiers was correctly decided, it was because the 
defendant therein, by introducing and relying on the deed to Colby, Chase and 
Crocker subjected himself to be treated as in privity with their heirs, who 
were parties to the decree and against whom the decree itself established a 
perfect equity by requiring them to convey to plaintiff. 

“Except in so far as that case is supported upon this distinction between 
it and the present case, it cannot be adhered to or followed.” 

This decision was to afford no comfort to the many persons tres¬ 
passing upon and setting up claims to Dodge lands, for after Bussey 
vs. Dodge had been argued and two months before it was decided, 
Norman W. Dodge undertook in one proceeding in the Federal court 


Dodge Lands and Litigations 


105 


to bring in as parties all those, so far as known, who claimed to hold 
adversely, and on June 25, 1894, filed a bill of peace, naming as 
defendants three hundred and eighty-one persons. 

It was alleged that the title and lands of Dodge were well known, 
and that a general scheme had been formed by the defendants to 
deprive him of the lands, by means of forged deeds and supported 
by false testimony as to possession. The jurisdiction of the court 
was seriously questioned by an able array of counsel. Particularly 
was it urged that the plaintiff could not join in one proceeding so 
many defendants, scattered over so great a territory and relying 
upon separate and unconnected claims of ownership. The bill, 
however, in effect charged a combination on the part of the defend¬ 
ants, thus raising an issue of fact rather than of law. After lengthy 
arguments, the jurisdiction was sustained. 

The record of the pleadings alone covers twenty-two hundred 
pages. The evidence was taken by a commissioner appointed by the 
court. Hearings were had by him at Macon, Dublin, Eastman and 
McRae. In addition to a mass of documentary evidence, the com¬ 
missioner’s report was filed in seven volumes. 

Decrees pro confesso had been taken as to a number of defendants. 
With others settlements were made and consequent decrees taken. A 
final decree was entered in 1902 generally sustaining the contentions 
of the plaintiff. 

The bill of peace was filed through Hill, Harris & Birch, and 
Marion Erwin, as solicitors for plaintiff, with whom were associated 
John F. DeLacey and James Bishop. Among the attorneys for the 
defendants were A. 0. Bacon, A. L. Miller, William Brunson, Olin 
J. Wimberly, Clem P. Steed, Walter M. Clements, E. A. Smith, Tom 
Eason, B. R. Calhoun, F. R. Martin, J. W. Preston, and B. B. Cheney. 

So great was the bitterness aroused by the conspiracy trial, so 
many the defendants and parties interested in the civil litigation, 
and such the supposed hostility to the Federal court on the part of 
the people who lived in the counties where the lands were situated, 
that for twelve years prior to 1907, there was placed in the jury 
boxes of the United States court at Macon the name of no man who 
resided in any of the great and populous counties of Laurens, Dodge 
or Telfair. 


106 


History of Dodge County 


The decrees on the bill of peace were not fully observed. Dodge 
had writs of assistance issued. A multitude of applications were 
made to the court to enjoin their enforcement by the marshal. The 
usual ground was that the party sought to be ousted was for some 
reason not bound by the decree. For the purpose of having com¬ 
plicated claims of this character determined, the executors of Nor¬ 
man W. Dodge, in 1908, filed a bill against several persons. The 
case was referred to a master. His reports were made from time to 
time over a period of six years. No exceptions were taken, and the 
conclusions of the master were embodied in decrees of court. 

For the record we will state here that the commissioner who heard 
and reported the evidence on the bill of peace, and also the master in 
the litigation last mentioned was Judge J. N. Talley, of Macon, the 
author of this article. 

A few years after the filing of the bill of peace, Walter A. Harris 
was admitted to the bar and became associated with Hill, Harris and 
Birch, the general attorneys for Dodge. Before the final announce¬ 
ment in that case was made by him as leading counsel for the plain¬ 
tiff, he had achieved distinction at the bar and served through the 
World War as Brigadier-General. 

By 1917 the magnificent growth of long leaf pine had been re¬ 
moved. For years past as titles were settled by the decrees of court, 
the cut-over lands had been sold by Dodge in small parcels and to 
many purchasers. In that year the remainder of the Dodge lands 
was sold to Judge John S. Candler, of Atlanta. He in turn sold a 
large part of it to Walter M. Clements, J. H. and Paul Roberts, of 
Eastman, but also made gifts of substantial tracts to Wesleyan Col¬ 
lege, of Macon, and the South Georgia College at McRae. 

This was not the first contribution made to education and religion 
from the wealth of the Dodge lands. Many years before, A. G. P. 
Dodge, Jr., of New York, a youth of about eighteen, while visiting 
the pine forests of Telfair County, decided to enter the ministry of 
the Episcopal church. Soon afterwards his marriage to a first cousin 
was the culmination of a youthful romance. The happy couple went 
abroad. In far away India the young wife died. She was buried 
at old Frederica, on St. Simons Island, and Christ Church there is 
her memorial. Her fortune was left to education and religion. To 
it was added that of the husband, who devoted his life to the service 


Dodge Lands and Litigations 


107 


of the church. It was authoritatively stated in 1910 that of the 
fifty-two mission stations in the Diocese of Georgia, thirty-nine owed 
their existence to the Dodge fund, and many of them to the personal 
exertions of that consecrated man. 

Husband and wife, the grandchildren of William E. Dodge, now 
sleep on St. Simons by the sea. Near them also lie the murdered 
agent, John C. Forsyth, and his daughter, Nellie, who became the 
wife of Major Ernest Dart, of Jacksonville, formerly of the Bruns¬ 
wick bar. From beneath the gray moss of the live oaks, their last 
resting place looks across the Marshes of Glynn, immortalized by 
the poetic genius of Sidney Lanier, whose father, as counsel, signed 
the original bill which commenced the Dodge litigation. 

All of the lands had passed from the ownership of Dodge. The 
occupation of his agents and woods-riders was gone. Thomas J. 
Curry and Ed McRae for twenty-five years had been on guard. They 
were men of high courage and character. The bill of peace had been 
verified by Ed McRae, he being the agent most familiar with the 
alleged trespasses of the hundreds of defendants. His father, John 
F. McRae, for forty-four years Clerk of the Superior Court of Tel¬ 
fair County, had, as a very young man, taught the children of the 
little Maine colony at old Lumber City. Oberly, the general agent, 
and Curry promptly obtained other employment. 

Judge Emory Speer died in 1918. The Dodge litigation had ex¬ 
tended over his entire judicial tenure, and it is a remarkable fact 
that throughout its long course there was never an appeal from 
any decision he made and no final action of the court, when he was 
on the bench, was ever carried to a higher court for review. When 
Judge Speer was appointed in 1885, the Federal court was to the 
masses of the people of the Southern District a foreign, an unknown 
and an unpopular court. Speaking in the parlance of the business 
world. Judge Speer “sold” the Federal court to the people, and it 
is a tribute to his distinguished service when it can now be declared 
that there is perhaps no district court in the United States where the 
people are more attached to the Federal court than in the Southern 
District of Georgia, and that nowhere is the office of District Judge 
regarded as one of so much honor as by the people of the district 
over which Judge Speer presided for a third of a century. 

The last contested case was on trial before Judge Beverly D. 


108 


History of Dodge County 


Evans, who had resigned as Presiding Justice of the Supreme Court 
of Georgia to become District Judge of the Southern District. This 
was the case of Clark vs. Dodge, an aftermath of Dodge vs. Clark 
litigated many years before. Clark was represented by Charles 
Akerman, of Macon, and Judge R. Earl Camp, of Dublin, the 
nominal defendant, Dodge, by Walter A. Harris, John B. Harris and 
M. J. Whitman, and the real defendants, the purchasers, by John 
R. L. Smith and Grady C. Harris. The decision of Judge Evans, 
rendered in 1920, was affirmed by the United States Circuit Court of 
Appeals. (260 Fed. 784.) 

When in May, 1923, Judge Barrett made the formal order remov¬ 
ing the litigation from the dockets of the court, Judge Erskine, and 
Locke and Speer, and Lamdin, and Evans had passed away, and of 
the great lawyers who, in their prime, had appeared for the parties 
contending in the original equity suit, in Dodge vs. Dodson, in the 
Hall contempt case, in the perjury case, in the great conspiracy case, 
and in Georgia vs. Kelly, only four—Nathaniel E. Harris, Marion 
Erwin, Charles L. Bartlett and James A. Thomas—accompanied by 
honor and “troops of friends,” remained to “counsel and advise.” 

Jurors were again being returned from all parts of the district, and 
the United States Marshal who called them in court was George B. 
McLeod, of the old county of Montgomery. 

A great population scattered over six counties had been made 
secure in their homes and lands by the effective decrees of the once 
hated Federal court, and upon the Dodge lands, so long in contro¬ 
versy, had descended the harbingered era of peace and prosperity. 

Vanished long since are the tribes, 

That once roamed over valley and upland , 

Yet lingers their speech, in the name of the fair sister rivers, 
Oconee, Ocmulgee and murmuring Altamaha. 

Gone is the forest primeval, and silent forever its sighing 
Of music aeolian, that breathed over earth and to heaven. 

And gone are the strangers who journeyed from out of the North¬ 
land, 

To gather the harvest the pines had amassed through the ages. 


Dodge Lands and Litigations 


109 


Yet lingers their memory still in the name of a county, 

In the names of the cities of Eastman and Chauncey forever. 

And where Lumber City looks out over rolling Ocmulgee, 

And Normandale nestles , their work will never be forgotten. 

Instead of the croon of the pines or the wail of the sawmill. 

The song of the ploughman and the lowing of cattle are mingled, 
And where once was solitude, now are glad homes of contentment. 

From out of the soil, men are reaping a harvest of gold, 

The past is forgotten and gone, like a story that's told. 


THE EASTMAN SCHOOLS. 


j^ASTMAN’S first school house was built in 1873 by Mr. William 
Pitt Eastman and presented to the town. The foundation of the 
house was laid on Monday and on the following Saturday the build¬ 
ing was completed. Col. Luther A. Hall was the first teacher. His 
salary of $40.00 per month was paid by Mr. Eastman. The school 
was dependent on private donations for three years. 

As Eastman began to increase in population the more liberally 
inclined citizens urged that a new and adequate building be erected. 
Several of the leading business men formed a corporation and peti¬ 
tioned the court for a twenty years’ charter. In 1877, the Superior 
Court of Dodge County, in answer to the petitioners, granted the 
charter and incorporated the school under the name and style of 
“The Eastman Academy.” 

The stockholders constituted the board of trustees and adopted 
by-laws for its government. The trustees were as follows: Chair¬ 
man, James Bishop, Sr., H. J. Sapp, W. W. Ashburn, Wm. P. East¬ 
man and A. G. P. Dodge. 

Prof. George A. Harrison was elected Principal of Eastman Acad¬ 
emy and under his wise management the school began its long period 
of struggle and growth. 

After Prof. Harrison resigned other teachers followed in succes¬ 
sion until 1884 Prof. Reuben J. Strozier was elected principal. 
During his eight years of judicious management the school flour¬ 
ished. From 1892 to 1897 the succeeding principals were, respec¬ 
tively, as follows: Franklyn, Bradwell, Flanders, Robeson, Miller 
and Bryan. 

In 1874 the trustees held a meeting and discussed methods for 
the enlargement of the school facilities. The town council and board 
of trustees held a joint meeting and appointed a committee whose 
duty should be “to consider the procurement of an eligible site for 
the erection of a larger building.” 

Eastman was growing in wealth and population. It became a 
necessity that some certain and positive steps be taken to provide 
better facilities for the education of the children. The old school 
building had served its day. It was urged by many that a new and 
larger one should take its place. Among the public spirited, who 


Eastman Schools 


111 


realized and demanded that Eastman should have a larger school 
building and adopt a better system of education, was Col. John F. 
DeLacey. He drafted a bill providing for the establishment of a 
system of public schools, and, at a public meeting of citizens, urged 
its adoption. The bill met with success and was made a law by the 
Act of the Georgia Legislature. Mr. W. W. Harrell, grandfather of 
M. J. W. and W. B. Daniel, donated the site for the new school 
building. 

Bonds to the amount of $10,000.00 were voted by Eastman. The 
mayor and aldermen elected a board of education consisting of the 
following men: Col. John F. DeLacey, president; Milton Edwards, 
Sol Herrman, J. D. Page, L. M. Peacock, Mather Wynne and James 
Bishop, Jr. 

In the fall of 1897 the foundation of a new building was laid 
and the building was completed and furnished in January, 1898. 
Prof. W. T. Gaulden was elected Superintendent of Eastman Public 
Schools and began his first session in the fall of 1897, and moved 
into the new building in January, 1898. 

Before the public school system was put in operation, tuition 
ranged from $15.00 to $35.00 per annum, in addition to the amount 
paid from the public school fund of the State. 

In 1899 Prof. N. W. Hurst succeeded Prof. Gaulden as Superin¬ 
tendent of the Eastman Public Schools, and during his administra¬ 
tion the curriculum was raised from ten grades to eleven, self- 
government system was adopted—which was later discontinued on 
account of objections from a few of the patrons. A school paper 
was published by the students, and a chemical laboratory was in¬ 
stalled. 

The first graduates of the Eastman High School were Miss Monica 
McRae and Mr. Herrman Harris. 

In 1902 Prof. Hurst resigned the superintendency to accept the 
position of vice-president of Gordon Institute at Barnesville, Ga. 

Prof. J. D. McClendon was placed in charge of the schools of 
Eastman in September, 1902, and filled the position until critical 
illness in the following fall forced him to give up his work in East¬ 
man, which was his last work, as he died in October, 1903. 

For several years after Prof. McClendon’s departure, superintend¬ 
ents served for a short period of time each, and among them were 


112 


History of Dodge County 


the following, serving in rapid succession: Starr, Parker, Byrd and 
Smith. 

In 1905 Prof. Mulloy was made superintendent, which position 
he filled most acceptably. During his administration the school 
grounds were improved considerably, the most notable improvement 
being a handsome private hedge in front of the old building. 

In 1908 Prof. Hurst was again elected to his former position and 
during his term of eight years the school underwent many changes. 
An up-to-date high school building, with all modern improvements 
and full equipment was completed during his second year. Two 
new pianos, a planitarium, physical and chemical labatories were in¬ 
stalled and military training introduced. The teaching force was 
increased during these years, owing to the growth of the school. 

Another innovation of this last period of our school was the 
Baloptican Lecture Course given by Prof. Hurst four or five times 
a year to the pupils free of charge, Prof. Hurst getting the machine 
for these pictures at his own expense. 

In March, 1917, Prof. Hurst resigned his position as superin¬ 
tendent of the schools to place on the market his invention, “The 
Planitarium,” a device for teaching Geography and Elementary 
Astronomy. 

Prof. T. J. Sappington was elected as his successor, and under 
his administration the school continued to prosper. 

Prof. R. J. Strozier returned in the fall of 1917, to the joy of the 
citizens of Eastman. Prof. Strozier had left the Eastman schools in 
1892, after having served as superintendent for eight years. This 
joy at his coming was in a few months overshadowed with sorrow 
at the sudden passing of this great educator and godly man. Prof. 
Brindle, who was principal, was elected superintendent to finish the 
unexpired term of Prof. Strozier. 

Prof. R. G. Hall was elected superintendent and served for two 
years. Other superintendents since the departure of Mr. Hall have 
been Guy H. Wells, who after serving the Eastman schools for a 
number of years accepted the presidency of the South Georgia 
Teachers College at Statesboro, Ga. Prof. Zack Henderson suc¬ 
ceeded Prof. Wells, and he too resigned to accept the position of 
dean of the South Georgia Teachers College at Statesboro. Prof. 


Eastman Schools 


113 


W. E. Queener succeeded Mr. Henderson. The present superintend¬ 
ent is Prof. Paul Long, and the Eastman school continues to grow. 
There are over a hundred in the senior class this year, which will 
be the largest graduating class in the history of the school. 



EASTMAN’S FIRST KINDERGARTEN, BACK IN THE 80’s. 

THE COUNTY SCHOOLS. 


There is a vast difference in the county schools of today as com¬ 
pared with those of the long ago. Then the schools were of the 
one room, one teacher to the school type. 

In the minutes of the school board of July 2, 1878, the school 
board ordered and declared that the minimum number for scholars 
in Dodge County should not be less than fifteen pupils to any one 
school. It was reported at this meeting that there were 889 white 
children and 359 colored children between 6 and 18 years of age, 
a total of 1,248 children. Of this number only 512 white children 
and 145 colored children were in school, leaving a total of 591 who 
were not in school. 

Trustees were appointed for the subdistricts as follows: 

For Lee’s subdistrict—James Bishop, three years; James M. Buchan, two years; 

John J. Hamilton, one year. 




114 


History of Dodge County 


For Chauncey subdistrict—William K. Bussey, three years; Harlow Clark, two 
years; Levi Evans, one year. 

Pondtown subdistrict—Peter H. Coffee, Sr., three years; William Studstill, 
two years; Joseph D. Bryant, one year. 

Mitchell’s 1 subdistrict—J. M. Daniel, three years; John W. Bohannon, two 
years; William E. Lowery, one year. 

Eddins subdistrict—J. M. Woodard, three years; C. D. Woodard, two years; 
S. B. Coody, one year. 

Rawlins subdistrict—D. T. Douglas, three years; John S. Thompson, two years; 
Nicholas Rawlins, one year. 

The school terms were three months each year. It was ordered 
that the County S-chool Superintendent visit each school taught by a 
licensed teacher twice during the term of three months, the first 
time as near the commencement of school as possible, and the second 
time as near the close as possible. The average school attendance 
was 441 14/65, and 78 cents per child per month was paid out by 
the County School Superintendent. 

In January, 1881, the minutes record that nearly three years later 
the average attendance was 449 27/65. Note the small raise. The 
following textbooks were recommended to be used in all the public 
schools of the county: 


Spelling Books .Webster and Swinton’s. 

Grammars .American Series. 

Arithmetics . Sanford’s Series. 

Geography .Mitchell’s and Swinton’s. 


Writing Systems .Spencerian or Appleton Model Copy Book. 

July 16, 1879, on motion of H. Coleman, it was resolved that the 
school recently opened at the Eastman Academy by the Rev. Philip 
A. Jessup be entitled to the pro rata share of the public school money 
as the school has the minimum number of pupils, say fifteen or 
over. 

January 2, 1880, the total amount received for school purposes for 
the year was $1,205.21. 

In the minutes of December 17, 1878, we find the following in¬ 
teresting figures. Amount paid teachers for term of three months: 


G. W. Fielder, Teacher Mitchell’s subdistrict.$32.00 

Mrs. Mary V. Hayes, Lee’s subdistrict . 28.12 

W. J. Bailey, Little Creek . 70.70 

Jas. C. Donaldson, Middle Ground . 50.29 











County Schools 


115 


Sara T. Rawlins, Bethel-Rawlins . 72.54 

Lottie B. Horsford, Eastman subdistrict . 10.08 

John S. Thompson, Ocmulgee-Rawlins . 44.64 

Mrs. E. Bryant, Pondtown . 37.69 

George F. Harrison, Eastman . 93.85 

Eliza J. H. Harrison, Chauncey . 39.24 

Mary Cotlett, Dubois . 49.39 

D. T. Douglas, Macedonia . 20.05 

J. B. Mills, Eddins district . 28.48 

P. E. Jessup, Union Church . 35.24 

Charles J. Clark, Burch-Lee’s subdistrict . 35.96 

Mollie C. Humphreys, Mitchell’s-Daniels . 33.01 

J. F. Lee, Pondtown subdistrict . 46.98 

Mrs. Sallie M. Parker, Parkerson’s-Lee’s subdistrict . 33.01 

County School Superintendent for 22 days’ service at $1.50 per day. 33.00 


The county schools of today are modern, up-to-date buildings, 
with all modern conveniences. There are in the county at present 
fourteen consolidated school districts, with the cotton mills school 
extra. There are 3,400 white children enrolled in the schools now 
and 1,600 colored children enrolled. They are taught by eighty-five 
white teachers and thirty-seven colored teachers, all of whom are 
promptly paid. Forty-four modern school buses transport 2,000 



ONE OF DODGE COUNTY’S MODERN SCHOOL BUSES WHICH TAKE 
THE CHILDREN TO AND FROM SCHOOL. 




















116 


History of Dodge County 


children every morning and afternoon to and from school. Every 
white child in Dodge County can remain at home, regardless of 
where they live in the county, and through the facilities of trans¬ 
portation finish an accredited four-year high school in Eastman, the 
accredited county high school. At this time, 1932, more than 150 
country children are enrolled in the 10th and 11th grades in the 
Eastman school; each respective school district teaches the 8th and 
9th grades, sending the two upper grades to Eastman. The income 
for school purposes is now $24,000.00 from the Equalization fund; 
$32,000.00 from the General State fund; $16,000.00 from the local 
tax fund, making a total of $72,000.00. 

Present Superintendent and Board: W. C. Rozar, superintendent 
for past eight years; W. H. Smith, H. E. Hill, F. T. Parkerson, W. A. 
Willis, W. S. Wynne. 

TOWNS IN DODGE COUNTY. 

Empire. 

Empire is situated about thirteen miles north of Eastman on the 
Southern Railway, at which point the W. & T. Railway crosses 
the Southern Railway. 

In 1885 Jim Few erected a sawmill at what is now the town of 
Empire. Then in the latter part of 1886 John Anderson and John 
W. Hightower bought the mill from Mr. Few and named the location 
Empire. They sawed the lumber at this mill with which to build the 
large one hundred thousand dollar nickel-plate lumber mill which 
they erected in 1887. 

The depot was built in 1887 and a railroad agency established. 
A postoffice was also established here in that year. A Mr. Charlie 
Beaks was the first railroad agent, and a Mr. Dismukes was the first 
postmaster. 

Like all sawmill sites of those times, likened only to the oil wells 
in Texas and other western states, a city sprang up almost over night, 
and we find that in 1888 the town was lighted with electric lights, 
also that a good water system, with deep wells, was put in. By the 
year 1890 there were in the mills and railroads both about 500 em¬ 
ployees. A good school was established, and Empire also built and 
donated to the Methodists a nice church building. It had a large 
membership and good congregations. The late Mr. C. C. Horsford, 


Towns in Dodge County 


117 


of Eastman, was an important factor in the establishment of this 
church and a great church worker. 

In the year 1888 the mill began building timber or tram roads 
out east of Empire towards what is now Younker, and later obtained 
a charter for the Oconee and Western Railroad. They continued to 
build the road farther east, building it more permanently, and this 
road is now a part of the W. & T. Railroad. In 1891 and 1892 the 
road was built in to Dublin and west to Hawkinsville under the 
supervision of Mr. A. T. Bowers. About this time a machine shop 
was erected to do all repair work of the rolling stock of the railroad 
and mill machinery. These shops were operated until the removal 
of the mill from here in 1898. During this time the population of 
Empire was around 500, but the town was not incorporated. 

In 1910 a nice stock company ginnery was erected, and also one 
of the Walker banks. Both flourished for several years, but have 
long since been liquidated. 

In 1911 the town was incorporated and the late Mr. P. T. Ether¬ 
idge was elected mayor, and Mr. R. H. Beauchamp was elected clerk. 

Sad to relate, but the Empire of today does not in any way re¬ 
semble the Empire in the days when it was a flourishing town. It is 
still inhabited by some of the best citizens of Dodge County, some 
of whom are engaged in the mercantile and other lucrative busi¬ 
nesses. 

Among the prominent citizens of Empire at present are: A. T. 
Bowers, J. H. Hall, 0. E. Woodson, A. R. Johnson, W. W. Davis, 
H. A. Pearce, W. F. Phillips, John Dunn, E. L. Gore, R. P. Cooper, 
S. C. Harrison, R. N. Lupo, J. B. Phillips, Cliff Jamieson. 

Gresston. 

Situated about eight miles north of Eastman, on the Southern 
Railway, is the little town of Gresston. 

This town was named for Mr. G. V. Gress, who in 1883 built one 
of the largest sawmills in the South at this point. In connection 
with the sawmill was a large dry kiln plant, the first of its kind in 
this section. Although here was the best yellow pine timber, which 
was both plentiful and cheap, the mills at that time were having 
trouble in disposing of their lumber, especially the boards and 


118 


History of Dodge County 


random lengths, because of low price and the lack of demand. G. V. 
Gress was quick to see the advantage of selling a finished product, 
and he made a trade with a Mr. Moore, of the Moore Dry Kiln Co., 
to build these dry kilns, which were among the first in the South. 
This proved a paying investment and thus was established a market 
for kiln-dried boards, which up to that time were considered a by¬ 
product of the mill. 

By kiln-drying his boards and having a planing mill, the Gress 
mill had a big advantage over the less progressive manufacturers 
and as a result the Gress Lumber Company built up a profitable 
business and showed the way to the other mills. 

These kilns were built with a great stack about forty feet high 
at the “green” end of the dry kiln. This method was used by Mr. 
Moore to induce a draft and speed up circulation for drying lumber. 
The mill town of Gresston grew and flourished for many years, but, 
like all sawmill towns of those early days, when the mills were 
through and moved away, the town also went. In fact they folded 
their tents like the Arabs and as silently stole away. All that is left 
of this once flourishing town are a few residences and a mercantile 
establishment and a large ginnery that are owned and operated by 
Ragan Brothers, they being Messrs. Claud and R. T. Ragan, of East¬ 
man. 

The name of Gress has been associated with the lumber industry- 
in the South for half a century. G. V. Gress, who built this mill 
in 1883, has retired from the lumber business and is living in Jack¬ 
sonville, Florida. He lived in Atlanta for a number of years and 
presented the city of Atlanta with a Zoological Garden and also the 
famous Cyclorama of the Battle of Atlanta, which, together with the 
building in which it is housed, is insured for a million dollars. 

The Town of Chauncey. 

The first settler in the town of Chauncey was Mr. W. K. Bussey. 
In 1869 he was appointed agent for the station then known as No. 12 
on the Macon and Brunswick, now the Southern Railway. He also 
did a mercantile business in the warehouse. In December of that 
year he built for himself the first residence, to which he took his 
bride, who was Miss Rachel Laslie. The first child born in the new 


Towns in Dodge County 


119 


town was in 1871, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bussey, named Leila, 
now Mrs. Walter Smith, of Atlanta. 

In 1870 Mr. W. H. Berryhill was appointed postmaster of the 
little town. In 1872 A. and D. B. Curry erected the first store house. 
In 1873 Sumner, Mullin & Hill erected an extensive shingle mill in 
the edge of town, which was named Mullingar, but when the town 
was incorporated it was annexed to it. 

The name Chauncey was given to the town in honor of a Mr. 
Chauncey, of New Hampshire, who promised to erect a church in 
the town, but died before it was accomplished. 

The town was incorporated in 1883, the first mayor was 0. W. 
Bush, and the board of aldermen were: Hamilton Clark, L. M. 
Curry, J. J. Lamb, and W. P. Burt. G. P. Bussey was clerk and 
treasurer. 

In 1874 Sumner and Mullin built a small church for all denomina¬ 
tions. Rev. D. G. Pope, a supply in the South Georgia Conference, 
preached to the Methodists, and Elder Matthew Sikes preached to 
the Primitive Baptists. 

In 1876 the first ginnery was erected by Mr. J. F. Wright, pro¬ 
pelled by horse and mule power. A hand press, built by Mr. D. F. 
Maloy, was used. 

In 1876 this little towui was saddened by the passing away of the 
beloved Mrs. W. K. Bussey, which marked the first death of a white 
lady in the town. 

About 1882 the Methodists erected a church. Rev. George Thomp¬ 
son was the pastor and rendered valuable aid as a carpenter as well 
as pastor. The Missionary Baptists built a church in 1884. In 1885 
the Primitive Baptist Church was built. 

The first wedding solemnized in the Chauncey Methodist Church 
was that of Miss May Colville to Mr. L. M. Curry on February 15, 
1886. 

The first Masonic funeral was that of Judge Angus Curry, in 
September, 1886. 

Mr. L. M. Curry built the first two-story brick building in 1883, 
the lower story was used for a store conducted by Mr. Curry, and 
the upper story was used for a public hall and rooming apartments. 


120 


History of Dodge County 


Mr. Thomas Laslie built a two-story hotel about 1880. This build¬ 
ing is now owned and used as a hotel by Mrs. D. B. Phillips. 

In 1892 the Methodist Church and a large sawmill across the 
street from it were destroyed by fire. In 1893 another Methodist 
Church was built. Also, this same year, a large sawmill was erected 
by A. B. Steele Lumber Company, of Atlanta, Ga. 

It is said that the first telephone in the State of Georgia was in 
Chauncey, some time between 1880 and 1885, and was owned by 
Mr. James Mullin, connecting his store at Mullingar with the depot. 
In 1912 a telephone exchange was introduced, with Miss Vesta Reid 
as manager. 

Among the first physicians of Chauncey were: Dr. Tucker, Dr. 
Montgomery, Dr. Geo. Blanton, Dr. I. H. Harrison and Dr. C. J. 
Clark. Dr. Clark is still a practicing physician of the town. 

The first Masonic Lodge was organized in 1895. 

The first school in Chauncey was in 1875, and was taught by Mr. 
G. C. Bailey in the little church donated by Sumner & Mullin. Rev. 
J. E. Rorie taught in 1876, and was also pastor of the Methodist 
Church. Miss Eliza Harrison was the teacher in 1878 and 1879. 
Miss Fannie Harrison taught from 1884 till 1894 and again in 1908 
and 1909. Miss Eilleen Horton, later Mrs. Dan Lanier, of McRae, 
taught the school in 1897. Miss Lizzie Daniel, of Eastman, now 
Mrs. W. H. Clark, of Chauncey, taught the school in 1907. There 
were other teachers, among whom were Rev. P. A. Jessup, Rev. 
Stewart Rogers, and Messrs. McIntosh and Walsh. 

From 1895 to 1905 Chauncey was at a low ebb, business became 
very dull and property owners were discouraged, the timber around 
the town was exhausted, and this caused the sawmill and turpentine 
men to seek pine belts elsewhere, and quite a number of families 
moved away. In 1906 the town began taking on new life. A system 
ginnery was erected, also a cotton warehouse and the bank. In 1909 
an Odd Fellows Lodge was organized. 

From 1875 to 1890 the leading merchants of the town were: 
Angus Curry, W. K. Bussey, T. V. and G. P. Bussey, O. W. Bush, 
Maj. Smith, William Harrell and James Mullin. In 1910 the old 
wooden stores on main street were torn down and replaced by hand¬ 
some up-to-date brick buildings with a paved sidewalk in front. A 


Towns in Dodge County 


121 


large hardware store was owned and operated by Wm. and B. N. 
Bussey, sons of Mr. W. K. Bussey, the first resident of the town. 
Dr. Collum and brother became proprietors of a nice drug store. 
At this time Mr. J. J. Cadwell operated a large mercantile firm, as 
did also Mrs. D. B. Phillips and Miss Ruth Curry, daughters of Mr. 
Angus Curry. Mr. W. H. Clark, son of Mr. Hamilton Clark, also 
erected a brick store in which he kept a large stock of merchandise. 
The bank was located on this street. 

In 1913 a Board of Commerce was organized and bonds were 
voted for the erection of a $10,000.00 schoolhouse. In 1914 the 
present high school building was erected. J. H. Hargrove and Son 
were the contractors, and Mr. Ed Horsford, of Eastman, was the 
architect. It is a handsome building and has all modern conven¬ 
iences, and would reflect credit on a much larger town than Chaun- 
cey. The first teachers in the new school were: Prof. Harrison, 
principal, with Misses Cole and Puckett assistants, and Miss Lewis 
teacher of music and expression. 

The location of the town is fine, the surrounding country filled 
with prosperous farmers, and the outlook for the growth of the 
place is brighter than it has ever known. 

The following poem was written by Clarence Hawkins and pub¬ 
lished in the Eastman Times January, 1874: 

Now , Mr. Editor , ’tis my intention 
A few facts to mention 
Concerning a Station 
On the M. & B. Road. 

Its name is Chauncey, 

For a New Hampshire Yankee 

Who left in a hurry 

Though 5 tis said he promised a church. 

There is the jolly good squire 

Who does up his justice by a light wood fire; 

He is fat, but not fussy , 

You know I mean W. K. Bussey. 


122 


History of Dodge County 


Our friend Curry, 

Who is never in a hurry. 

But keeps the same gait 
All the year round. 

By the smile on his face 
And the way he says grace, 

You may know his conscience is clear. 

Messrs. Humphreys and Willcox, 

Both young men and smart. 

One to head them in business 
Should take a soon start. 

John W. Bohannon 
Don’t shoot a big cannon. 

But makes considerable noise 
By running a store 
And peddling more 
Family groceries and toys. 

The Shingle Mill 

Run by Sumner, Mullin & Hill, 

Now with the Hills cleared away 
Which happened one day. 

Will do you fair. 

Manager “Pap” 

Not cutting much sap, 

And all things done 
Done on the square. 

Chester, Ga. 

Situated about sixteen miles northeast of Eastman, in one of the 
most fertile sections of Dodge County, is the thriving little town of 
Chester. 

The founders of this little town were Mr. June Williams, a tur¬ 
pentine man, and Mr. H. M. Hancock, who was the first merchant of 
the new town. Other business firms soon to open up for business 
were: The J. P. Williams Co., peach growers; J. B. Hinson Co., 


Towns in Dodge County 


123 


Wynne Mercantile Co., C. M. Rogers & Son, also engaged in the 
mercantile business. 

Among the early settlers were: R. Manning, C. M. Rogers, June 
A. Williams, Martin Burch (negro), J. A. Coleman, Arthur Wil¬ 
liams, Warren Joiner. 

W. B. Jessup was elected the first mayor, and the council was 
composed of H. M. Hancock, T. C. Byrd and J. A. Williams. 

The first postmaster was John Hall (negro). After the town was 
incorporated J. A. Williams became the postmaster. 

The Methodist Church was organized in 1899 by Rev. L. A. Snow, 
with T. C. Byrd first steward, and T. C. Byrd, Dr. George Bordeaux 
and K. C. Johnson trustees. 

The Missionary Baptist Church was organized in 1890 by Rev. 
S. A. Sheffield, with Mr. R. Manning first deacon. 

The Primitive Baptist Church was organized in 1910, with Rev. 
G. W. Floyd pastor, and H. M. Hancock, S'. M. Livingston church 
committee. 

The first public school was organized in 1901. Rev. J. R. Harvey 
was the first teacher, and T. C. Byrd, W. B. Southerland and J. A. 
Williams were the trustees. 

In 1909 the Chester Banking Company was incorporated with a 
capital of $25,000.00. D. A. Burch was president and J. B. Hinson 
vice-president. F. H. Roberson, Jr., was cashier. This institution 
prospered for many years and was quite a help to the people of 
that section of the county. The bank closed a few years ago and a 
private bank was opened by Messrs. C. M. Rogers and Son and 
Spencer Wynne. 

The Chester Consolidated School is located in the town of Ches¬ 
ter, and is a modern school building with all facilities. 

Rhine. 

The town of Rhine is situated near the Ocmulgee River, about 
fifteen miles south of Eastman. It was about the year 1886 that the 
Seaboard Airline Railroad was built through that section, and 
immediately the town of Rhine sprang up. 

The first general store opened there was by Messrs. G. W. and 
D. M. Ryals. A turpentine still was established by three brothers 


124 


History of Dodge County 


named Robitzsch, who came from North Carolina. The town was 
built on land which was owned for many years by J. M. Swymer. 
Another pioneer settler was James Reaves, who still resides there. 
Gradually other stores were built and homes erected, most of them 
being good substantial residences, and at this date it is one of the 
most thriving and enterprising little towns in Georgia. It is a good 
trade center, the citizens being principally engaged in naval stores, 
lumber and agriculture. It has one of the strongest banks in this 
section of the State. 

Among the most prominent citizens of Rhine at this time are: 
R. E. Ponder, W. C. Ryals, W. T. Ryals, Zan Mizell, J. 0. Stuckey, 
H. L. Peacock, Walter Stuckey, Jim Brophy, J. C. Williams, Joe 
Williams, C. E. Dent, C. C. Dinkins, Dr. J. G. Williamson, Dr. Henry 
Maloy, George Cravey, Tom Hilliard, Craig Mizell, W. J. Rogers, 
Jim Barron, W. C. Reaves, John Ryals, E. F. Carr, and others. 

Milan. 

Milan is another town on the S. A. L. Railway, and is about eight 
miles from Rhine, and sixteen from Eastman. It is located on the 
dividing line of Dodge and Telfair Counties, part of the town being 
in Telfair and part in Dodge. It is surrounded by a fertile farming 
section, and is considered one of the best small business towns in 
this section. It has a number of brick business houses, included in 
which is an up-to-date bank, a modern brick school building, and a 
splendid brick hotel. There are also two cotton gins, and three cot¬ 
ton warehouses, which handle quite a lot of cotton from both Telfair 
and Dodge. As a whole the people own nice modern homes. 


CONFEDERATE VETERANS, 


A S DODGE COUNTY was not created until many years after the 
War Between the States, we have no complete roster of the men 
who really went from this county, but the following is as nearly com¬ 
plete as we could compile from the pension records and other sources, 
and represents those who have moved into the county since the war 
as well as those who were in the portions of the other counties from 
which this one was created: 


Armstrong, Maj. C. R. 

Arnold, Elann . 

Anderson, Robert F. 

Adams, L. L. 

Anderson, Uriah .... 

Bacon, Dr. E. H. 

Barlow, J. E. 

Burch, R. F. 

Bohannon, J. W. 

Brown, Lovett . 

Bacon, John R. 

Brady, T. M. 

Bass, F. J. 

Bailey, W. H. H. 

Bowen, Jerry M. 

Bowen, I. N. 

Beauchamp, J. C. 
Bryan, Joseph D. 

Banks, H. T. 

Burch, John M. 

Burnham, M. A. 

Burnham, Thomas .. 

Butler, J. A. M. 

Bowen, P. A. 

Brown, James . 

Bussey, W. K. 

Bryant, L. 

Brown, Jordan . 

Bishop, James, Sr. .. 

Carr, Bealus . 

Coney, Martin . 

Connelley, G. H. 

Clark, B. F. 

Cooper, M. C. 

Coffee, Joshua . 

Coffee, J. W. 


.Corps of Engineers. 

Company F, 17th Georgia. 
Company B, 49th Georgia. 
.Company F, 3rd Georgia. 
.Jackson’s Artillery. 


..Company B. 

Company I, 4th Georgia Cav. 
....Company G, 8th Georgia. 
...Company H, 47th Georgia. 

-Company H, 2nd Georgia. 

.. Company B. Good’s Battery. 
...Company C, 57th Georgia. 

_Company A, 49th Georgia. 

_Company B, 5th Georgia. 

.49th Georgia. 

.Company C, 1st Georgia. 

...Company D, 49th Georgia. 

-Company I, 30th Georgia. 

.Company K, 4th Georgia. 

... . Company I, 12th Georgia. 

.20th Georgia. 

.Company D, 8th Georgia. 

.Company G, 5th Georgia. 


.Longstreet’s Corps. 

Company F, 5th Georgia. 
.Company F. 


.. Company I, 3rd Georgia. 
Company D, 61st Georgia. 
.Company B, 16th Georgia. 

.Sou. Rights Battery. 

.Company K, 49th Georgia. 
Company H, 20th Georgia. 
.49th Georgia. 





































126 


History of Dodge County 


Coffee, Capt. John A.20th Georgia. 

Coffee, Mitch . 

Coffee, Mark . 

Cobb, Noah .20th Georgia. 

Cooper, D. A.Company C, 36th North Carolina. 

Cole, J. W.Company B, 37th Tennessee. 

Coody, S. B.Company B, Montgomery’s Battery. 

Clements, D. G.Company E, 61st Georgia. 

Clark, Harlow .4th Georgia Cavalry. 

Clark, Matthew .Company G, 10th Cavalry. 

Daniel, T. L.Company G, 49th Georgia. 

Douglas, W. J.Company H, 1st Georgia. 

Dempsey, John .Company H, 21st Georgia. 

Davis, William .49th Georgia. 

Dunn, Thomas .Company B, Montgomery’s Artillery. 

Dillard, George .Company D, 6th Georgia. 

Darcey, Robt. A.Company C, 57th Georgia. 

Davis, George .Company B, 49th Georgia. 

Douglas, David . 

Dowdy, Joe .49th Georgia. 

Dowdy, Dick .49th Georgia. 

Dowdy, John R.49th Georgia. 

Dowdy, Griff .49th Georgia. 

Elkins, J. B.Company A, 2nd South Carolina Volunteers. 

Etheridge, T. F.Company F, 3rd Georgia. 

Evans, Elisha, Jr.Company B, Montgomery’s Battery Artillery. 

Evers, J. F.Company I, 57th Georgia. 

Evans, J. A.Company A, 12th Georgia. 

Fisher, Dr. Harris.Surgeon Gordon’s Brigade, 31st Georgia. 

Foster, Charles T.Company I, 53rd Georgia. 

Fordham, B. H.Company D, 8th Georgia. 

Foster, J. B.Company C, 42nd Georgia. 

Gibson, A. J. Company A, 4th Georgia. 

Gentry, Henry.Company E, 7th Georgia. 

Garrett, T. J. 

Gilder, James I.Company H, 26th Georgia. 

Griffin, A. H.Company B, 22nd Georgia. 

Gibson, Adam J.Company A, 4th Georgia. 

Grimsley, Gus J.Company B, Montgomery’s Battery Artillery. 

Graham, Joseph . 

Griffin, A. L.Company C, 3rd Georgia. 

Hargrove, L. L. 

Harrell, Capt. John A.Company G, 10th Georgia. 

Harrell, James D.Company F, 7th Georgia. 

Harrell, R. A.Company F, 31st Georgia. 

Harrell, L. H.Company B, 49th Georgia. 

Harrell, Willis .Company F, 7th Georgia. 

















































Confederate Veterans 127 

Hadaway, J. R.Company E, 7th Alabama. 

Herring, J. H.Company I, 14th Georgia. 

Holland, Jessie .Company I, 5th Georgia. 

Hobbs, Larry .Company C, 57th Georgia. 

Hudson, H. H.Company H, 18th Georgia. 

Horne, J. D.Company B, Battery. 

Handley, J. J.Company B, Anderson’s Battery. 

Hardy, A. D.Company A, 32nd Georgia. 

Hudson, James L.Jackson’s Grays. 

Hall, William J.Company A, 14th Georgia. 

Holt, David B.Company A, 27th Georgia. 

Hutto, Henry .Company H, 47th Georgia. 

Horsford, William H.Company H, 5th Georgia. 

Harrell, Charles .Company G, 10th Georgia. 

Herrman, Henry . 

Harrell, Levi .20th Georgia. 

Howard, Wiley .49th Georgia. 

Humphreys, J. J.49th Georgia Surgeon. 

Ivey, A. J.Company I, 18th Georgia. 

Ivey, R. H.Company H, 22nd Georgia. 

Jackson, Ben W.Company A, 32nd Georgia. 

Jessup, J. W.Company F, 2nd Georgia. 

Jessup, P. A.. 

Jackson, W. H.Company F, 63rd Georgia. 

Jones, Wiley B.Company B, 14th Georgia. 

Jones, A. R. 

Jump, H. J.Company B, Montgomery’s Battery. 

Jones, John W.Company R, 49th Georgia. 

Johnson, Nathan .49th Georgia. 

Jones, J. G.Company F, 31st Georgia. 

Jones, R. M.Company B, Anderson’s Battery. 

Kersey, T. A.Company E, 10th Georgia. 

Kimberley, J. D.Company I, 2nd Georgia. 

Kitchens, W. L. 

Lamb, John H.Company B, 5th Georgia. 

Lancaster, M. A.Company F, 31st Georgia. 

Lctimer, C. F.Company F, 47th Georgia. 

Leitch, W. N.Company C, 12th Georgia. 

Lister, Jobe .Company K, 49th Georgia. 

Livingston, J. W. 

Lynch, William L.Company H, 44th Georgia. 

Lowery, Daniel L.Company G, 5th Georgia. 

Manning, Reuben .Company G, 8th Georgia. 

Martin, William R.Company B, 49th Georgia. 

Martin, Dick .49th Georgia. 

Martin, Jerry M.Company G, 5th Georgia. 

Matthews, G. C.Company G, 5th Georgia. 
















































128 


History of Dodge County 


Minter, R. A.Company A, 32nd Georgia. 

Minnix, William .49th Georgia. 

Moore, W. J.Company F, 2nd Georgia. 

Mize, W. W.Company I, 34th Georgia. 

Moon, William A.Company F, 27th Georgia. 

Mullis, Cornelius .Company C, 10th North Carolina. 

Mullis, Thomas.Company A, Cavalry. 

Mullis, Jessie..Company B, 27th Georgia. 

Morris, I. N.Company F, 2nd Georgia. 

Murrell, C. B.Company B, 10th South Carolina Volunteers. 

McCranie, Horton .5th Georgia. 

McCranie, John .Company G, 49th Georgia. 

McCranie, William .49th Georgia. 

McCranie, John, Sr.10th Georgia Cavalry. 

McCranie, John, Jr.10th Georgia Cavalry. 

McCranie, Neal .20th Georgia. 

McCranie, George .20th Georgia. 

McCranie, Bill .49th Georgia. 

McCrimmon, John .49th Georgia. 

McGehee, B. F.Company D, 6th Georgia. 

McDuffie, Malcom .49th Georgia. 

Mclnnis, Mose .49th Georgia. 

McRae, William .Company A, 20th Georgia. 

McLeod, Allen .49th Georgia. 

Nelson, S. J.Company I, 57th Georgia. 

Nicholson, S. C.Company F, 7th Georgia. 

Peacock, L. M.Company D, 8th Georgia. 

Peacock, W. D.Company I, 5th Georgia. 

Powell, A. D.49th Georgia. 

Powell, A. N.27th Georgia Colquitt’s Brigade. 

Raffield, W. R.Company G, 5th Georgia. 

Rawlins, Thomas .Company F, 7th Georgia. 

Reeves, J. H.Company I, 5th Georgia. 

Reeves, Joseph.Company B, 49th Georgia. 

Reaves, George .20th Georgia. 

Reaves, Drew .20th Georgia. 

Reaves, William .20th Georgia. 

Register, A. G.Company A, 14th Georgia. 

Reynolds, Jas. (or Jos.) .Company K, 24th Georgia. 

Roberts, Judge D. M.Company G, 10th Georgia Cavalry. 

Rogers, James C.Company B, Montgomery’s Battery. 

Rogers, John J.Company B, 42nd Georgia. 

Rozar, William M.. 

Rozar, John D.Company K, 49th Georgia. 

Rozar, J. W. 

Rowland, James .Company I, 5th Georgia. 

Rogers, William .20th Georgia. 

















































Confederate Veterans 


129 


Ryals, Jack . 

Ryals, Thomas . 

Sapp, John W. 

Sapp, William B. 

Sapp, Hiram J. 

Sanders, William L. 

Shipp, S. E. 

Shipp, John H. 

Simmons, J. S. 

Skelton, W. J. D.. 

Scarborough, M. A. 

Spears, Thomas.. 

Spence, L. D. 

Steele, John N. 

Stuckey, John . 

Studstill, John B. 

Swearingame, D. W., Sr. . 

Tabb, S. L. 

Taylor, John T. 

Tidwell, R. T. 

Tripp, Jas. E. (or Jos. E.) 

Tripp, J. B. 

Vaughn, James . 

Walker, G. W. 

Walker, M. A. 

Ward, B. K. 

Weldy, Jos. W. 

Weaver, D. W. 

White, P. L. 

White, John . 

White, William. 

Whigham. Benjamin . 

Willcox, G. M. 

Williams, Wiley J. 

Wright, J. B. 

Wright, M. C. 

Yearly, M. A. 

Yancey, J. 

Yancey, David. 

Young, John R. 


.49th Georgia. 

.49th Georgia. 

..Company G, 8th Georgia. 

.Company G, 5th Georgia. 

Company G, 10th Georgia Cavalry. 

.Company B, 14th Georgia. 

.Company K, 44th Georgia. 

.Company K, 44th Georgia. 

. Company H. 

.Company E, 7th Georgia. 

....Company B, Dawson's Battery. 

.Company G, 6th Georgia. 

.Company F, 48th Georgia. 

.Company C, 16th Georgia. 

.Company F, 2nd Georgia. 

.Company B, 3rd Georgia. 

.7th Georgia. 

. .Company K, 2nd South Carolina. 

.Company B, 46th Georgia. 

.Company G, 48th Georgia. 

.Anderson’s Artillery. 

.Company A, 28th Georgia. 

.Company D, 63rd Georgia. 

.Company B. 

.Southern Rights Battery. 

.Company D, 57th Georgia. 

.Company G, 27th or 29th Georgia. 
..Company D, 8th North Carolina. 

.Company D, 6th Georgia. 

.Company B, Anderson’s Artillery. 

.Company I, 26th Georgia. 

.Company G, 10th Georgia. 

.Company A, 10th Georgia. 

.49th Georgia, Lieut.-Colonel. 

.Company I. 5th Georgia. 

.Company H, 63rd Georgia. 

.Company H, 10th Georgia. 

..Company B. 49th Georgia. 

.Company H. 20th Georgia. 

.Company B. 14th Georgia. 










































130 


History of Dodge County 


THE WOMEN OF THE CONFEDERACY. 

Soldiers at Home. 

/ believe that the heroic mothers and daughters, 

The sisters and sweethearts and wives. 

Did as much for the South in the silence of love 
As the soldiers who gave it their lives. 

While husbands and fathers and brothers bore arms. 
Southern women were soldiers at home. 

And they were as true, patriotic and loyal 
As lived under Heaven s blue dome. 

They fought none the less that they shouldered no guns; 

They battled with famine and want 
Where pillage and plunder preside at the board 
And spectres of poverty haunt; 

Where murder grounds out the last hope of the land. 

Beneath the wheels of his ponderous car, 

And vampires of war suck the blood of children 
Who know not the meaning of war. 

It was here and like this that the women endured. 

Here alone that they grappled with death 
In a form more horrid than the soldiers encountered 
While facing the cannon s lurid breath. 

They were watchful by day and wakeful by night. 

And like Ruth they most faithfully cleaved. 

And many a lady and lassie died 

Of the wounds that the soldiers received. 

They toiled in the vineyard and field every day. 

And they carded and spun every night . 

And the click of the shuttle was heard in the loom 
For each click of the trigger in fight. 

And the fingers that touched the lute string and the harp 
Made socks for the soldiers 9 bare feet. 

And the hands that knew how to train soldiers from birth 
Made the bread for the soldiers to eat. 


Women of the Confederacy 


131 


And never a soldier grew weary or faltered , 

But some loving voice from afar 
Stopped singing her little one’s lullaby songs 
To sing Dixie for those in the war. 

And many a brave Joan of Arc left at home 
Sent her spirit battling afield, 

And many a Spartan mother commanded her son 
To return with or on his own shield. 

She loved native country with the blood she inherited, 

Loved it with every heart beat 
With a love as high as our mountains and deep 
As the ocean that sings at our feet. 

Whenever the soldiers’ canteen was run dry, 

The larder was empty at home; 

Man suffered in body , she suffered in mind 
For the soldier who might never return. 

And when the great harvest of souls shall appear , 

And the reapers shall garner the grain f 
And the Angels shall shout 6i resurrection!” 

For those who died and were slain, 

A million brave women who fought this same fight 
Will ascend through the blossoming sod 
And go up through the lilies that bloomed o’er them here 
To live on as lilies of God. 

—Author Unknown. 

A CONFEDERATE MOTHER. 

Mrs. Nancy Hendley Hargrove. 

The following is copied from the Times Journal of July, 1920: 

One of the most interesting events in the history of Dodge County was the 
presentation of the Confederate Bar of Honor to Mrs. Nancy Hendley Har¬ 
grove, a Confederate mother, on Sunday afternoon. The exercises were held 
at the home of Mrs. Hargrove and a crowd of about two or three hundred was 
present. 

This bar of honor is presented to each living mother of a living Confederate 
soldier in recognition of the most sacred gift that could be made by a patriotic 
woman. This gift was made by the Southern Confederate Memorial Associa- 


132 


History of Dodge County 


tion through Mrs. A. McD. Wilson, president general of the association, and 
who originated the idea of the bar of honor. 

The exercises were he’d under the auspices of the Fanny Gordon Chapter. 
United Daughters of the Confederacy, and the presentation of the bar was made 
by Mrs. W. P. Cobb, president of the chapter. The occasion was in celebra¬ 
tion of the ninety-sixth birthday of Mrs. Hargrove. 

Grandma Hargrove is the sixth living Confederate mother in Georgia, and 
the twenty-sixth in the United States to receive this bar of honor. Her son, 
Mr. Lark Hargrove, entered the Confederate army when only sixteen years 
of age. 

Mrs. Hargrove was born July 24, 1824. Slje was married at the age of nine¬ 
teen to Andrew Jackson Hargrove, a minister of the gospel, and to them were 
born eleven children, nine of whom are still living: eight boys and one girl. 
The oldest of these children is seventy-six, and the youngest is fifty-two years 
of age. Her immediate family consists of |$J. members, viz.: nine children, 
fifty-five grandchildren, eighty-five great-grandchildren, and twelve great-great¬ 
grandchildren. Two of her sons are great grandfathers, and the daughter is 
a great grandmother. 

Mrs. Hargrove resides at the same home to which she moved sixty-five years 
ago and which is within five or six miles of where she was born and reared. 

She is a remarkable woman, in that despite h er ninety-six years she can still 
get about and perform little household tasks that seem almost impossible for 
one of her years. She has a bright, clear mind, and can readily recall many 
incidents of the sixties. She also keeps abreast of the times and can discuss 
current events as intelligently as anyone. 

One of the sweetest and most touching things is the devotion and affec¬ 
tionate care of her two bachelor sons, Messrs. Levi and Hendley, who live 
with her. One is forced to know that God i§ in his Heaven yet when seeing 
these two white haired men, her “boys,” treating their mother as tenderly as 
if she were a baby. 

In the great World War Grandma Hargrqye was called upon to make a 
greater sacrifice in sending her grandsons forth to battle for world freedom. 
One of her precious grandsons, Albert Mcjjfae Hargrove, one of the finest 
young men of our town, and one with a bril|j|Jit future, volunteered his serv¬ 
ices to his country when the tocsin of war sQpppled in 1917 and joined the 5th 
Marines on June 5th, 1917. With a Germaq bullet through his heart he fell 
at Chateau Thierry on the 8th of June, 191$, when the 5th and 6th Marines 
turned the tide of battle there. Her other grandsons were with those who 
returned. 

“0, great Confederate mothers, w 7 e would paint your names on monuments, 
that men may read them as the years go by and tribute pay to you who bore 
and nurtured hero sons and gave them solace on that darkest day when they 
came home with broken swords and guns.” 



A CONFEDERATE MOTHER. 

Mrs. Nancy Hendley Hargrove, age 96, and her Confederate veteran son, 

L. L. Hargrove, age 76. 

Picture made on July 24, 1920, the 96th birthday of Mrs. Hargrove, at which 
time she was presented with the Confederate Bar of Honor by the Southern 
Confederate Memorial Association. 




134 


History of Dodge County 


LIVING CONFEDERATE VETERANS. 

G. C. Matthews. 

G. C. Matthews is one of the 

three Confederate Veterans now 
living in Dodge County. Mr. 
Matthews was born July 1, 
1847, and was the son of James 
Matthews and Elizabeth H. 
Cofield, who came from Har¬ 
nett County, N. C., in 1830 and 
settled in Houston County, later 
moving to Pulaski County, 
about five miles west of Haw- 
kinsville, where our subject was 
born and reared. James Mat¬ 
thews and his wife, Elizabeth 

H. Cofield, were the parents of 

eight boys, four of whom died 

in childhood. The other four 
served in the Confederate army 
throughout the war. They 
were: William H., John G., 
David F., and G. C. 

G. C. enlisted in Macon in Company G, Fifth Georgia Reserves, 
in the early part of 1864. He went to Griffin and fought in the 
battle of Griswoldville, one of the bloodiest battles of the war. The 
Confederates had to retreat the best they could, having been rushed 

into battle unprepared. In a little skirmish at Walnut Creek, near 

Macon, Wheeler’s Cavalry and the Fifth Georgia Reserves captured 
General Stoneman and three thousand Federals, the Fifth then 
marched into the stockade at Macon. They then went to Griffin and 
on to Savannah, thence to Greensboro, N. C. They fought seven 
days around Savannah, and had many hardships to endure, having 
to go barefooted and without food. They surrendered at Greens¬ 
boro, N. C. 

Mr. Matthews married first, Margaret Elizabeth Kinchen on June 
5, 1871, and they were the parents of Charles Hawkins, and a daugh¬ 
ter, Mary Elizabeth, who married Gus Handley. He married second, 





Living Confederate Veterans 


135 


Sara Delaney Jones on May 1, 1887, and they were the parents of 
Annie H., who married a Fulghum; James E., and Lula Delolia, 
who married a Williams. 

R. F. Burch, Sr. 

Mr. R. F. Burch, Sr., is one of the three living Confederate 
Veterans in this county at present. 

He was born and reared in this county, being the grandson of 
Joseph Burch, who was killed by the Indians. 

Mr. Burch served throughout the war in Company I, Fourth 
Georgia Cavalry. He is now about eighty-six years of age, and as 
active as a much younger man. He is one of the large and suc¬ 
cessful planters in Dodge County. 



MR. AND MRS. R. F. BURCH, SR., 

Ccnjederote veteran, and one of the three living veterans in Dodge County 
in 1932. This picture made on their Golden W'edding Anniversary. 





136 


History of Dodge County 


He married Millie Ann Harrell, and a few years ago they cele¬ 
brated their golden wedding anniversary. Their children are: M. 
D., C. C., W. A., M. A., John G., R. F., Jr., Mattie Lou, Annie Maude. 

J. B. Elkins. 

Mr. J. B. Elkins is also one 
of the three living Confederate 
Veterans, and is now eighty- 
seven years of age. He was 
born in Barnwell District, 
South Carolina, and moved to 
this county about twenty-five 
years ago. 

He served during the war in 
Company A, Second South 
Carolina Volunteer Artillery. 
He served from 1862 and was 
with Johnson’s army when 
terms were made with Sherman 
at Greensboro, N. C. 

He married Miss Neta S. 
j p ELKINS Dorrill, of Charleston, S. C., 

Confederate veteran. Mr. Elkins is one an( ^ they were the parents of 
of the three living Confederate veterans t he following children: Oliver, 
in Dodge County in 1932. 

who died in infancy; Leila; 
Herbert, who died in infancy; Myrtle, who died in infancy; Dorrill, 
who married Maude Martin; Haywood, who died in infancy; Cassa 
Ruth, who married Reppard Wooten; Marrus. 

SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR VETERANS. 



Christopher C. Burch .Corporal 

Chas. W. Griffin .Corporal 

James W. Buchan .Corporal 

Geo. W. Alligood .Private 

C. L. Bennett .Private 

Oscar Bohannon .Private 

Bascom Bradford .Sergeant 

A. C. Curry .Private 


Geo. A. Freeney .Private 

L. F. Griffin .Private 

E. E. Jones .Private 

A. C. McWilliams .Private 

J. C. Rogers .Private 

J. M. Sapp .Private 

W. W. Tripp .Private 

C. J. Tripp .Private 




















World War Veterans 


137 


T. D. Willard .Private 

D. F. Woodward .Private 

J. L. Woodward .Private 


R. E. Ponder_Co. K, 2nd Georgia 

John Mozo .Private 



A MILITARY COMPANY, 
in Eastman, in 1893, taken at Griffin, Ga., in camp. 

Capt. H. M. Stanley. Standing, left to right: Wash Harrell, Newt Mullis, 
D. B. Boer, Jerry Lowery, Ed Montgomery, Hal M. Stanley, Charles W. Griffin, 
John A. Harrell, Jr.. J. D. Page, Sam Rogers, W. L. Jessup, Arnold Harris. 
Sitting: Olin Pharr, Theo Pharr, Dr. J. D. Herrman, Rev. B. S. Sentell, Oscar 
A. Gentry. In tent: Collie Skelton and John B. Girardeau. 


WORLD WAR VETERANS. 
Army—White. 


Adams, Elmer, Rt. 1, Chauncey. 
Alcorn, Madison H., Chester. 
Alcorn, Willie, Chester. 

Allen, Eddie, Rt. 1, Gresston. 
Allen, William C., Empire. 

Andrews, Elmer, Eastman. 

Andrews, Fred, Eastman. 

Arnold, James, Rt. 1, Chester. 
Arnold, William G., Rt. I, Chester. 
Avery, Jacob C., Gresston. 

Baker, Jacob E., Eastman. 

Baker, Theodore S., Eastman. 
Barlow, Jay B., Rt. 7, Eastman. 
Bass. John M., Rt. 1, Chester. 


Beck, Kalup S., Rt. 4, Eastman. 
Bennett, Fred R., Eastman. 
Bennett, Robt. S., Rt. 1, Eastman. 
Benton, Hosea E., Rt. 2, Empire. 
Bexton, William, Rt. 1, Eastman. 
Bills, Charlie A. G., Albany. 
Bishop, Van S., Empire. 

Bivins, James T., Rt. 8, Eastman. 
Blankenship, Henry C., Younker. 
Blitch, Pierce G., Eastman. 
Bloodworth, John W., Rt. 1, Rhine. 
Boney, Henry G., Rt. 1, Rhine. 
Boutwell, Sidney, Eastman. 

Bowen, Andrew J., Rhine. 









138 


History of Dodge County 


Bowen, Horton A., Rhine. 

Bowen, James C., Rt. 3, Rhine. 
Bowen, William L., Rt. 3, Rhine. 
Branan, Alvord W., Chauncey. 
Brantley, Arthur S., Rt. 4, Eastman. 
Brophy, William C., Rt. 1, Rhine. 
Brown, John M., Rt. 2, Rhine. 
Brown, Tom, Rt. 1, Rhine. 

Bryant, Josephus, Rt. 2, Chester. 
Bryan, William W., Rhine. 
Burkhalter, Walter, Rt. 2, Milam. 
Burch, Allie 0., Rt. 2, Rhine. 

Burch, Harlow C., Rt. 1, Chester. 
Burch, Otis L., Chester. 

Burch, Perry M., Chester. 

Burch, Reuben E., Eastman. 

Burch, William E., Rhine. 

Bush, Harvey C., Rt. 1, Chauncey. 
Bush, Morristella L., Eastman. 
Butler, Albert L., Eastman. 

Butler, Emory, Plainfield. 

Butler, Ollie B., Eastman. 

Cain, Charles W., Eastman. 

Calhoun, Emory Hamilton, Eastman. 
Campbell, James L., Rt. 2, Rhine. 
Campbell, James P., Rt. 1, Rhine. 
Campbell, William M., Rt. 2, Rhine. 
Cannon, Benjamin H., Chester. 
Cannon, John J., Chester. 

Cannon, Theo C., Eastman. 

Carter, Thomas 0., Rt. 1, Chauncey. 
Cash, Eugene, Rt. 2, Milan. 

Cherry, Thomas J., Rt. 1, Gresston. 
Clark, Henry M., Chauncey. 

Clark, Leslie M., Eastman. 

Clements, Clinton T., Eastman. 
Clements, Donald McRae, Eastman. 
Clements, Julian G., Eastman. 
Coffee, Archie T., Rt. 3, Eastman. 
Coffee, James D., Rhine. 

Coffee, Louis M., Eastman. 

Coffee, Wiley, Rhine. 

Coleman, Gordon, Rhine. 

Coleman, Henry C., Chauncey. 
Collins, Milton, Rt. 2, Rhine. 

Colson, Wiley C., Eastman. 

Connor, Charlie A., Rt. 7, Eastman. 
Coody, Reese E., Rt. 1, Gresston. 
Coody, Rufus F., Rt. 1, Gresston. 
Cook, Scott H., Eastman. 

Cook, William 0., Eastman. 

Cooke, Hugh R., Eastman. 

Cooper, Ben H., Eastman. 

Cooper, Oscar C., Eastman. 

Cooper, Tyrannus, Eastman. 

Cooper, Willie C., Eastman. 

Coursey, Geo. T., Eastman. 


Coursey, Leslie M., Eastman. 
Coursey, Nim L., Rt. 8, Eastman. 
Cravey, Thomas A.. Rt. 2, Rhine. 
Cravey, Walter R., Rhine. 

Crooms, Julius, Eastman. 

Daniel, Harry L., Eastman. 

Daniel, Tom S., Rt. 2, Eastman. 
Daniel, Sidney C., Rt. 4, Eastman. 
Darsey, Benjamin T., Chester. 

Davis, Charlie, Rt. 1, Rhine. 
DeLamar, Turner, Younker. 

Dennis, John J., Rt. 4, Eastman. 
Dickens, Horace E., Eastman. 
Douglas, Gordon B., Younker. 
Douglas, James I., Plainfield. 
Douglas, James Q., Younker. 

Douglas, Sam W., Younker. 

Douglas, Samuel C., Younker. 
Duggan, Odis S., Chester. 

Dunn, John W., Jr., Rt. 1, Gresston. 
Dykes, Charlie H., Rt. 6, Eastman. 
Dykes, Frank, Rt. 5, Eastman. 
Dykes, Robt. H., Eastman. 

Dykes, Willie D., Younker. 

Echolls, Benjamin B., Eastman. 
Edwards, Albritton, Eastman. 
Edwards, Charles H., Rt. 2, Rhine. 
Edwards, Charter B., Eastman. 
Edwards, Howard B., Eastman. 
Edwards, Milton C., Eastman. 
Edwards, Theodore C., Eastman. 
Edwards, Willie J., Empire. 
Etheridge, Jesse P., Empire. 

Eubanks, Ernest F., Chauncey. 

Evans, Julian E. Eastman. 

Fellows, Walter H., Rt. 2, Chester. 
Fincher, Bernard C.. Rt. 7, Eastman. 
Fincher, Joseph A., Rt. 1, Eastman. 
Flanders, John F., Rt. 3, Eastman. 
Floyd, Emory S., Eastman. 

Floyd, Nichols G., Plainfield. 

Floyd, Wesley W., Chester. 

Foster, Clinnon, Eastman. 

Foy, Anderson, Eastman. 

Fulghum, Charlie L., Rt. 3, Eastman. 
Garrett, Alfred E., Rt. 5, Eastman. 
Garrison, Thomas E., Eastman. 
Gatlin, Joseph N., Rt. 1, Eastman. 
Gatlin, Willis J., Eastman. 

Gay, Augustus T., Rt. 1, Plainfield. 
Gentry, Robert D., Eastman. 
Giddens, Benjamin S., Chester. 
Giddens, Daniel J., Eastman. 
Giddens, Lawrence M., Eastman. 
Giddens, Walter C., Rt. 5, Eastman. 
Giddens, William H.. Rt. 2, Chester. 
Graham, Charles S., Eastman. 


World War Veterans 


139 


Graham, Jack R., Empire. 

Graham, Wheeler C., Eastman. 
Greene, Edward, Plainfield. 
Grimsley, Wilbur W., Empire. 

Hall, Alvin A., Empire. 

Hall, Harris F., Eastman. 

Hall, Virgil A., Rt. 1, Eastman. 

Hall, Zeb V., Eastman. 

Hambrick. Elbert H., Eastman. 
Hankinson, Thomas J., Eastman. 
Harden, Albert H., Rt. 2, Rhine. 
Hardin, Kirby H., Rt. 2, Rhine. 
Hargrove, John Z.. Sr., Eastman. 
Hargrove, Larkin M., Rt. 8, Eastman. 
Hargrove, Robt J., Eastman. 

Harrell, Clayton, Eastman. 

Harrell, Elous L., Rt. 2, Eastman. 
Harrell, Homer A., Eastman. 
Harrell, James C., Eastman. 
Harrell, Jordan B., Rt. 2, Chauncey. 
Harrell, Milton, Eastman. 

Harrell, Theodore M., Rt. 3, Rhine. 
Harris, Reuben E., Eastman. 

Hart, Calvin F., Empire. 

Hart, Pruitt A., Empire. 

Hendrix, Columbus G., Eastman. 
Herrman, Joseph A., Eastman. 
*Hilliard, Sidney, Rhine. 

Hilliard, Charlie Lee, Rhine. 

Hinson, Levi, Rt. 2, Chester. 

Hobbs, Talmadge, Empire. 

Hogan, Charles J., Chester. 

Holder, Willie J.. Empire. 

Holland, Ellis, Rt. 2. Chester. 
Holland. Pryor F., Rt. 2, Chester. 
Holland, Robert H., Chester. 

Holt, James U., Eastman. 

Horton, Mark F., Rt. 2, Chester. 
Howard, Archie, Rhine. 

Howard, Lewis, Rt. 2, Rhine. 
Howard, Martin L., Rt. 1, Chauncey. 
Howell. Jim H., Eastman. 

Huff, James B., Eastman. 

Jessup, Edwin, Eastman. 

Johns, Enoch H., Chauncey. 

Johnson, Daniel A.. Rt. 1, Chauncey. 
Johnson, Effie J.. Rt. 7, Eastman. 
Johnson, Leavy, Rhine. 

Johnson, Wrennie W., Rhine. 

Jones, Andrew J., Rt. 6 Eastman. 
Jones, Albert A., Rt. 2, Rhine. 
Jones, Charles F., Eastman. 

Jones, Charlie J., Chauncey. 

Jones, Franklin M., Rt. 2, Empire. 
Jones, George, Calvin. 

Jones, Jack, Empire. 

Jones. Joel H., Rt. 7, Eastman. 


Jones, John R. C., Eastman. 

Jones, James E., Gresston. 

Jones, Oscar F., Eastman. 

Jones, Robert L., Rt. 2, Empire. 
Jump, Clarence A., Empire. 
Kavakos. Canelos D., Eastman. 
Kelley, Edward E., Rhine. 

Kelley, Meredith G., Rhine. 

Kent, Warren W.. Rt. 1, Chester. 
Khoury, Gabriel R., Eastman. 
Khoury, Michael A., Eastman. 
Kilchriss, Mike, Eastman. 

Kinchen, George, Eastman. 
Kirkpatrick, Henry H., Empire. 
*Kitchens, Luther, Eastman. 

Knight, Carson E., Eastman. 

Knight, James H., Eastman. 

Lamb, Benager, Rt. 6, Eastman. 
Lane, Horice B., Empire. 

Lane, Tom W., Rt. 2, Empire. 

Lane, Thomas Z., Eastman. 

Law, Adon’m J., Jr., Rt. 2, Eastman. 
Law, Henry L., Rt. 2, Eastman. 
Law, John L., Rt. 2, Eastman. 

Law, Thomas E., Rt. 2, Eastman. 
Lee, Levi B., Rt. 4, Eastman. 

Lee, Noah E., Eastman. 

Lennard, Don G., Eastman. 

Lester, Jessie, Rt. 2, Eastman. 
Lewis, Arthur W., Rt. 1, Chester. 
Lewis, Robt. 0., Rt. 1, Chester. 
Linzy, Eddie H., Rt. 1, Chester. 
Linzy, Marshall, Rt. 1, Chester. 
Livingston, Wayman, Rt. 4, Eastman. 
Livingston, Wm. J., Chester. 

Long, John S., Rt. 1, Empire. 

Lowe, John B., Gresston. 

Lowery, Geo. L., Eastman. 

Lowery, Oliver J., Rhine. 

Lowery, Thomas R., Eastman. 
McCranie, William H., Rt. 2, Rhine. 
McCullough, Horace F., Eastman. 
McLeod, Alvin C., Chester. 

McLeod, Ivey F., Chester. 
McWhorter, Dan K., Eastman. 
Macey, Joseph M., Chauncey. 

Maloy, William Lee, Rt. 1, Rhine. 
Mann, Charles H., Rhine. 

Mann, William H., Rt. 1, Rhine. 
Manning, Joseph J., Younker. 
Martin, George E., Rt. 2, Rhine. 
Martin, James G., Eastman. 

Martin, Lark, Eastman. 

May, Lonnie R., Rt. 4, Eastman. 
Meese, Allen J., Eastman. 

Mercer, Dewey S., Eastman. 

Methvin, Claude McKee, Eastman. 


140 


History of Dodge County 


Miller. Elbert R., Rt. 1, Gresston. 
Miller, Zach R., Rt. 1, Gresston. 
Milner, William B., Eastman. 
Montford, Otis L., Eastman. 

Moon, Luther J., Eastman. 

Moon, Roy C., Rt. 3, Rhine. 
Morrison, James, Eastman. 

Mullens, Will K., Eastman. 

Mullis, Herrman C., Eastman. 
Mullis, Joel F., Plainfield. 

Mullis, Joel W., Eastman. 

Mullis, James J., Eastman. 

Mullis. Johnnie C., Eastman. 
Mullis, Johnnie F., Eastman. 
Mullis, Sol W., Eastman. 

Mullis, Walter F., Chester. 
Murkerson, G. F., Rt. 6, Eastman. 
NeSmith, James L., Rt. 1, Empire. 
Nicholson, Carlos W., Younker. 
Nicholson, Croel J.. Rt. 2, Chester. 
Nicholson, John C., Younker. 

Nixon, Henry G., Eastman. 

Nixon, Steve, Rt. 2, Eastman. 
Nobles, Jessie M., Rt. 2, Empire. 
Norris, Isaac, Eastman. 

O’Callaghan, Homer M., Eastman. 
Pace, Archie Elmer, Rt. 1, Rhine. 
Pace, Carlton A., Chester. 

Pace, Pet C., Rt. 1, Rhine. 

Page, Malcolm S., Eastman. 

Parker, Cleophus C., Rt. 3, Eastman. 
Parkerson, Eatheard, Eastman. 
Parkerson, Newbert W., Eastman. 
Parkerson, Roy, Eastman. 

Parkerson, Wm. L., Rt. 4, Eastman. 
Parks, Walton E., Empire. 

Peacock, Charles H., Jr., Eastman. 
Peacock, Claude H., Eastman. 
Peacock, Cullie B., Rt. 1, Chester. 
Peacock, Donald R., Eastman. 
Peacock, Henry W., Rt. 1, Chester. 
Peacock, Norbert, Eastman. 

Peacock, Oscar M., Eastman. 
Peacock, William H., Eastman. 
Phillips, George Henry, Younker. 
Phillips, James W., Empire. 

Phillips, Sam C., Empire. 

Phillips, Sam P., Younker. 

Pickren, William L.. Rt. 2, Rhine. 
Pitts, Benjamin B., Chauncey. 
Powell, Ottis F., Rt. 3, Rhine. 

Powell, Wm. H., Rt. 2, Chauncey. 
Prince, Charles A., Eastman. 

Prince, James R., Eastman. 

Proctor, Tampie, Eastman. 

Pruett, Oscar, Eastman. 

Pruett, Roy, Eastman. 


Pruett, Raiford Lee, Rt. 6, Eastman. 
Ragan, Curtis, Gresston. 

Ragan, Judge, Eastman. 

Ragan, Robert T., Eastman. 

Rawlins, Colonel Hansen, Eastman. 
Rawlins, J. C., Eastman. 

Reeves, George E., Rhine. 

Register, George W., Chester. 
Register, John I., Chester. 

Reynolds, Millard B., Gresston. 
Register, George L., Chester. 

Riley, Lawrence A., Rt. 3, Milan. 
Rozar, Albert E., Empire. 

Rozar, Walter C., Rt. 1, Empire. 
Rozier, Gordon Lee, Chester. 
Roberts, Owen C., Rhine. 

Rogers, Bruno M., Rt. 2, Eastman. 
Rogers, Edwin T., Rt. 8, Eastman. 
Rogers, Eugene E., Eastman. 

Rogers, Guthman, Rt. 2, Eastman. 
Rogers, Herrman L., Eastman. 

Rogers, John W., Rt. 5, Eastman. 
Rogers, James T., Chester. 

Rogers, John W., Rt. 5, Eastman. 
Rogers, John C., Rt. 3, Eastman. 
Rogers, Roberson, Rt. 8, Eastman. 
Rogers, Stuart A., Chester. 

Rowland, Gus, Rt. 1, Chester. 
Rowland, John F., Chester. 

Rudeseal, Ernest G., Eastman. 

Ryals, James A., Rhine. 

Ryals, John, Rhine. 

Sanders, Hoyt, Eastman. 

Sanders, Joe C., Eastman. 

Sanders, John S., Eastman. 
Sanderson, Andy, Eastman. 

Sanford, Joseph, Rhine. 

Sapp, Ben J., Gresston. 

Sapp, Charles P., Eastman. 

Sapp, Fred R., Eastman. 

Sawyer, Beaufort B., Chester. 

Sawyer, Ike, Rt. 1, Gresston. 
Schwartz, Sol, Eastman. 

Scarborough, J. W., Rt. 1, Chauncey. 
Sherrod, Luther, Rt. 4, Eastman. 
Sheffield, Horace G., Rhine. 

Sheffield, Needham R., Rt. 2, Rhine. 
Sheffield, Simon H., Rt. 2, Rhine. 
Sheffield, William I., Plainfield. 

Shipes, Archie G., Plainfield. 
Shropshire, Elmer, Chester. 

Simmons, Edward M., Eastman. 
Simmons, James M., Chauncey. 
Simmons, John A., Eastman. 

Simmons, Thomas F., Chauncey. 
Skelton, Henry G., Eastman. 
Smallwood, Wm. T., Rt. 1. Chester. 


World War Veterans 


141 


Smith, Andrew D., Rt. 3, Rhine. 
Smith, Burdick L., Chauncey. 
Smith, Jim L., Rt. 8, Eastman. 
Smith, Joseph T., Rt. 3, Rhine. 
Smith, Paul S., Rt. 7, Eastman. 
Smith, Roger J., Rt. 7, Eastman. 
Smith, Robert G., Eastman. 

Smith, Reppard B., Rt. 2, Rhine. 
Southerland, R. W., Rt. 1, Plainfield. 
Southerland, Wm, R., Rt. 1, P’field. 
Steele, George D., Rhine. 

Studstill, Steve W., Rt. 2, Eastman. 
Studstill, Walter D., Rt. 2, Eastman. 
Stuckey, William F., Rhine. 
Swearingame, C. C., Rt. 1, Chester. 
Swearingame, Wm. W., Chester. 
Swymer, John J., Rhine. 

Taylor, Earley E., Empire. 

Taylor, Furney P., Rt. 2, Eastman. 
Taylor, Ulisses L., Eastman. 
Tedders, Roy, Rt. 1, Rhine. 
Tennenbaum, Reuben, Eastman. 
Thornberg, Thurston, Eastman. 
Thigpen, John F., Rt. 5, Eastman. 
Thomas, Joseph B., Rt. 2, Eastman. 
Thompson, Ander F., Rt. 1, Empire. 
Thompson, E. J., Rt. 1, Plainfield. 
Thompson, E. D., Rt. 1, Plainfield. 
Thompson, James A., Gresston. 
Thompson, Tom Watson, Eastman. 
Tindall, Thomas N., Rt. 3, Eastman. 
Tinder, James E., Rhine. 

Tolleson, Jessie L., Plainfield. 
Tolleson, Oscar L., Plainfield. 
Towson, Hatton D., Eastman. 

Tripp, James R., Eastman. 


* Deserters. 


Tuggle. E'mer D., Rt. 6, Eastman. 
Ltley, Clifford, Gresston. 

Vaughn, Acie W., Rt. 1, Eastman. 
Vickers, Ovid S., Rt. 8, Eastman. 
Walker, Daniel J., Rt. 1, Rhine. 
Walker, James D., Eastman. 

Walker, William M., Rt. 1, Rhine. 
Warren, Charlie G., Empire. 

Warren, Claude, Younker. 

Warren, James D., Chester. 

Weeks, Bart M., Rt. 8, Eastman. 
Weeks, Wright Wm., Rt. 8, Eastman. 
Whitehead, Aaron, Rhine. 

Wilburn, Earnest 0., Rt. 3, Eastman. 
Williams, Charlie F., Rt. 8, Eastman. 
Williams, George B., Empire. 
Williams, Luther E., Rhine. 
Williams, Wm. H., Rt. 8, Eastman. 
Wilson, George P., Rt. 1, Chauncey. 
Wilson, Robert L., Chauncey. 
Wilson, Sam, Chauncey. 

Wood, Willie E., Eastman. 
Woodward, George A., Eastman. 
Woodward, Robert V., Eastman. 
Woodward, William B. Eastman. 
Wooten, Heber, Eastman. 

Wooten, Sam, Eastman. 

Wooten, Vernon, Eastman. 

Wright, Claude W., Rt. 1, Plainfield.. 
Wright, Eddie H., Eastman. 

Wright, Theo F., Rt. 1, Plainfield. 
Wright, Wade H., Rt. 1, Chester. 
Wright, William L., Eastman. 
Wynne, Ira B., Rt. 2, Chester. 
Wynne, Robert, Jr., Eastman. 

Yawn, William G., Rt. 1, Rhine. 
Young, Norman J., Rt. 8, Eastman. 


Deceased Whites. 


Asbell, Farrell J., Eastman. 

Brady, Walter, Younker. 

Carroll, Thomas M., Gresston. 

Cobb, Jesse J., Rhine. 

Daniels, Henry P., Eastman. 

Garrett, Guy T., Rt. 7, Eastman. 
Giddens, Thomas B., Rt. 5, Eastman. 
Hargrove, Albert McRae, Eastman. 
Hilliard, John K., Jr., Rhine. 

Holder, George W., Rt. 1, Rhine. 
Holder, John L., Rt. 6, Eastman. 
Holt, John W., Rt. 1, Eastman. 


Parkerson, J. J., Rt. 1, Plainfie’d. 
Perkins, Ruel H., Empire. 
Livingston, Cornelius, Eastman. 
Livingston, Howard, Eastman. 
Powell, Charles H., Chauncey. 
Rowland, John H., Gresston. 
Scarborough, Wm. F., Rt. 2, Rhine. 
Stuart, Malcolm, Empire. 

Warren, John J., Younker. 

Weeks, Ben T., Eastman. 

Weeks, Geo. L., Eastman. 




MRS. JOHN ROLAND, 

A World War Mother, at the grave of her son, John H. Roland, in France. 
Mrs. Roland made the trip to France in 1930. 





World War Veterans 


143 


Navy. 


Berg, Julian Robert, Eastman. 
Boney, Lucious W., Rt. 1, Rhine. 
Brophy, Robt. Lee, Rhine. 
Buchannan, William J., Eastman. 
Bussey, Harlan Emory, Chauncey. 
Cadwell, Robinson L., Chauncey. 
Clements, Fred Julius, Eastman. 
Clark, John Mitchell, Chauncey. 
Clark, Joseph Hamilton, Chauncey. 
Clark, Levi Aticus, Chauncey. 

Cofer, James Vollie, Rt. 6, Eastman. 
Coffee, Everett, Rhine. 

Edwards, Hubert Foster, Eastman. 
Gay, Theodore, Eastman. 

Giddens, William Howard, Eastman. 
Goolsby, Troy Lane, Rt. 3, Eastman. 
Hulsey, Robt. Jerry, Rt. 8, Eastman. 
Jessup, Lee DeLacey, Eastman. 


Jessup, Tullie Lawson, Chester. 
Jones, Claude Otis, Rt. 5, Eastman. 
Jones. Earnest M., Chauncey. 

Lee, Lewis Lovett, Eastman. 

Lipsitz, Joseph Jacob, Eastman. 
Mullikin. Jay D., Rt. 1, Eastman. 
Mullis, Willie Hiram, Eastman. 
Perkins, Wm. Thurman, Eastman. 
Ramage, James Henry, Chester. 
Taylor, James G., Rt. 4, Eastman. 
Taylor, Joe Wheeler, Rt. 4, Eastman. 
Thornberg, Clyde, Eastman. 

Walker, James Benj., Rt. 2, Rhine. 
Wentz, Josire Branch, Empire. 
Wheeler, Joseph Wadley, Eastman. 
Williams, Davis Arthur, Chester. 
Wooten, Harry William, Eastman. 
Young, Lewis Fred., Rt. 8, Eastman. 


Officers. 


Clark, Fred Harlan, Eastman. 
Coffee, John T., Eastman. 

Eubanks Claude L., Eastman. 
Harrell, John DeLamar, Eastman. 
Herrman, Ferdinand Hirsh, Eastman. 
Jones, Augustus Benjamin, Eastman. 


Jones, Edward Lorenze, Eastman. 
Morrison, James, Eastman. 
Parkerson, Isaac Jefferson, Eastman 
Peacock, David Roscoe, Eastman. 
Sapp, DeWitt T.. Eastman. 

Wynne, Austin McRae, Eastman. 


Colored. 


Adkins, Andrew, Rt. 4, Eastman. 
Allen, Ned, Rt. 5, Eastman. 

Allen, Will, Eastman. 

Anderson, Geo. W., Younker. 
Andrews, James, Eastman. 

Andrews, James, Gresston. 

Asbell, Freeman, Eastman. 

Bailey, Lem, Rt. 1, Chester. 

Baldwin, Leroy R., Eastman. 

Ball, Zack, Rhine. 

Barden Daniel, Eastman. 

Battle, Robt. B., Jr., Rt. 4, Eastman. 
Battle, Washington, Rt. 4, Eastman. 
Beaty, James, Chauncey. 

Bell, Ferdinana, Eastman. 

Bennett, Prince A., Eastman. 
Benyard. Elija, Eastman. 

Burch, Clemmen, Chauncey. 

Bishop, Eli W., Rt. 3, Rhine. 
Bishop, Irwin, Rhine. 

Blackwell, Corrin A., Rt. 5, Eastman. 
Bland, Charlie, Eastman. 

Bonds, Jordan, Rt. 2, Helena. 
Boykin, James, Rt. 1, Eastman. 


Brace, Anderson, Younker. 

Brady, John N., Plainfield. 

Bray, George, Rt. 1, Eastman. 
Brimmer, Willie, Rt. 7. Eastman. 
Brookins, Wm. Henry, Rt. 2, Rhin?. 
Brooks, Paul. Plainfield. 

Brown, Alec, Rt. 3, Rhine. 

Brown, Arch, Eastman. 

Brown, Ernest, Plainfield. 

Brown, James, Eastman. 

Brown, Lawyer, Rhine. 

Brown, Will, Eastman. 

Brown, Will L., Eastman. 

Brown, Willie, Rt. 1, Gresston. 
Bryant, Paul, Rt. 1, Gresston. 
Burch, Frank, Chester. 

Burch, Freeman, Rt. 4, Eastman. 
Burns, Walter, Eastman. 

Butler, William, Chester. 

Cannon, George, Rt. 8, Eastman. 
Carmichael, Walter, Gresston. 
Carson, William, Rt. 1, Eastman. 
Carswell, George, Rt. 1, Eastman. 
Carter, Willie, Eastman. 


144 


History of Dodge County 


Champion, Dude, Eastman. 
Chauncey, Oliver D., Rt. 1, Eastman. 
Chavous, Ancil, Rt. 8, Eastman. 
Christmas, Lucius, Eastman. 
Christmas, Will, Eastman. 

Clark, Homsie. Rt. 1, Gresston. 
Clark, John, Rhine. 

Clark, Robert, Rt. 3, Eastman. 
Clark, Thomas, Rhine. 

Coats, Martin, Eastman. 

Cobia, Boisey, Rhine. 

Cochran, Charlie. Eastman. 

Cochran John, Eastman. 

Coffee, Emmons B.. Rhine. 

Coley, Henry, Rt. 7, Eastman. 

Coley. Theo Arthur. Eastman. 
Collins, David, Eastman. 

Collins, Robt., Rt. 3, Eastman. 
Colson, Tommie. Rt. 1. Gresston. 
Coney, Cephas, Rt. 2, Eastman. 
Corbin James. Rt. 1, Eastman. 
Covin, Joe, Eastman. 

Crofford, Wm. C., Rt. 2, Empire. 
Cummings, Lowdon, Eastman. 
Cumminsis, Willie, Eastman. 

Curry, Willie, Chester. 

Curry, Charlie, Eastman. 

* Daniel, Charlie, Chester. 

Daniels, Cleveland, Chester. 

Daniels, Hightower, Rt. 1, Chauncey. 
Daniels, Louis C., Rt. 3, Eastman. 
Daniels, Luther, Chester. 

Darden, Henry, Rhine. 

Davison, Homer S. Eastman. 

Davis, Daniel P., Chauncey. 

Davis, Ed., Eastman. 

Davis, Foster Charlie, Eastman. 
Davis, James H., Eastman. 

Davis, Oscar, Plainfield. 

Davis, Willie L.. Chauncey. 

Dean, Blanks Jessie W., Chester. 
DeYounks, John, Plainfield. 

Dixon, Allen C., Eastman. 

Dixon. Oscar R.. Rt. 8, Eastman. 
Donaldson, Levi, Chauncey. 

Dumas, H. Lee Rt. 2, Empire. 
Dumas, John W.. Rt. 6, Eastman. 
Eason. Raleigh, Rt. 2, Rhine. 
Edmonds, Henry. Rt. 1, Plainfield. 

* Edwards, Joe, Chester. 

Edwards, Lovejoy, Eastman. 
Edwards, Meacher, Rt. 2, Dubois. 
Elevine Quitman, Rt. 5, Eastman. 
Fail. John H. Empire. 

Farlow, Good’ow, Rt. 1. Chauncey. 
Fitch, John Henry, Eastman. 
Fordham, Elija, Rt. 2. Rhine. 


Franklin, Jesse Lee, Rt. 2, Eastman. 
Frazier, Raymond, Eastman. 

Frazier. Will Henry, Rt. 1. Eastman. 
Gay, Claud, Rt. 2, Eastman. 

Gay, Willard, Rt. 3 Eastman. 
Gilbert, Cleve, Rt. 1, Rhine. 
Gilmore, Levi, Rt. 8, Eastman. 
Glover, Luster, Rt. 3, Eastman. 
Gordon Floyd, Rt. 2, Empire. 

Grace, David, Rt. 1, Eastman. 
Grant, Johnnie, Rt. 1. Eastman. 
Gray, Willie, Rt. 3, Eastman. 

Hall, Benjamin, Chauncey. 

Hall. George Rt. 3, Rhine. 

Hall, Isaac, Rt. 8. Eastman. 

Hall. John H., Rhine. 

Hall, William. Chester. 

Hall. Zollie. Eastman. 

Hamilton, Arter. Rt. 1, Chauncey. 
Hamilton, Marion Rt. 4, Eastman. 
Hamilton, Willie, Chauncey. 

Harrell, Bryant, Gresston. 

Harrell, Charlie H., Rt. 3, Eastman. 
Harrell, James, Eastman. 

Harrell, Willie, Rhine. 

Harrell, Ike, Rt. 1, Eastman. 

Harris, Emmett, Rhine. 

Hart, Herrman, Eastman. 

Hatcher, Pinkie, Rt. 2, Eastman. 
Hayes, Jordan A., Rhine. 

*Hayes, Tom, Rhine. 

Haynes, Alonzo. Rt. 7, Eastman. 
Haynes, John, Eastman. 

Haynes, Rufus, Eastman. 

Haynes, Thomas, Eastman. 

Hayward, George, Rt. 1, Eastman. 
Hayward. Samuel, Rt. 1, Eastman. 
Helton, St... Rt. 1, Chauncey. 
Henry, David Wm., Rt. 1, Cadwell. 
Herne, Dan, Eastman. 

Hollins, Emanuel, Rt. 3, Abbeville. 
Holliman, Joe, Rt. 3, Eastman. 
Howard, Geo. L., Rt. 3, Eastman. 
Howard, Henry C., Rt. 1, Chauncey. 
Howard, Samuel, Rt. 8, Eastman. 
Hughes, Charlie, Rt. 5, Eastman. 
Hughes, Sam, Rt. 4, Eastman. 
Hunnicutt, Dony W., Eastman. 
Hunter, Courtney, Rt. 1, Chester. 
Ingraham, Lucius, Chester. 

Ingraham, Walter, Rt. 2, Eastman. 
Irvin, James, Rt. 5, Eastman. 

Irvin, Joe, Eastman. 

Irwin. Herbert. Rt. 5, Eastman. 

Ivey, Cicero, Rt. 3. Eastman. 
Jackson. Lucius, Rt. 2, Empire. 
Jackson, Thomas Eastman. 


World War Veterans 


145 


Jackson, Walter C., Eastman. 
Jackson, Walker, Empire. 

Jefferson, Robt., Empire. 

Jefferson, Taylor, Empire. 

*Jernigan. Lee, Gresston. 

Johnson, Frank, Rhine. 

Johnson Shadrack, Rt. 7. Eastman. 
Jones, Charlie. Rt. 6, Eastman. 
Jones, Ed. Rt. 1, Chester. 

Jones, Lenneair, Chester. 

Jones, Walker, Chester. 

Jones. Will. Dodge. 

Julks. William H.. Rt. 4. Eastman. 
Kelm, Otis H., Rt. 1, Rhine. 

King, Seaborn, Eastman. 

King, Walker. Rt. 1. Empire. 
Knowlton. Marvin, Rt. 2, Eastman. 
Kurtz, John Henry. Rt. 1. Chester. 
*Lamar, Charlie, Rt. 3, Eastman. 
Lampkin James B., Eastman. 

Lester, Silas, Eastman. 

Lewis, George. Rt. 1, Plainfield. 
Lewis, Sebie, Rt. 8. Eastman. 

Lewis, Thomas, Plainfie'd. 

Lightfoot, Lewis L.. Eastman. 
Lightfoot, William, Rt. 2, Eastman. 
Lockett, Thomas, Rt. 6, Eastman. 
Lofkin. Willie, Rt. 1, Plainfield. 
Lucas, Frederick B.. Rt. 3, Rhine. 
Lucas, Green, Rt. 3, Eastman. 

Lucas, Sylvester, Rt. 3, Rhine. 
Luster, Jesse F.. Rt. 2, Eastman. 
Lynch, George. Rt. 6, Eastman. 
McCormick, Pete. Rt. 2, Eastman. 
McCrary, Robt., Rt. 2, Eastman. 
McDonald, Rufus, Rt. 1. Eastman. 
McDuffie, John D., Rt. 3, Rhine. 
McDuffie, Walter L., Rt. 1. Rhine. 
McKinnon. Leonard, Rt. 1, Rhine. 
McNair, Horace. Rt. 8, Eastman. 
McNair. James, Rt. 2, Empire. 
McNeal. Henry, Rt. 1. Eastman. 
McNear. Merritt, Eastman. 

McRae, George, Eastman. 

McRae, Jessie, Rt. 1, Rhine. 
McGriff, Allen, Eastman. 

Marshall, Wesley. Plainfield. 

May, Joe, Plainfield. 

Melvin, Dolphus, Chester. 

Mims, Tommie, Rt. 8, Eastman. 
Mobley, Henry, Eastman. 

Mobley, William H., Eastman. 
Mongin. John, Rt. 1, Eastman. 
Moore, Ben. Chester. 

*Moreland, Zeb, Eastman. 

Morris. Henry, Rt. 1, Eastman. 

Moss. Ira, Rt. 1, Empire. 


Moss, Walter, Chester. 

Mulkey, Charlie, Rt. 2, Empire. 
Nance, Angus F., Eastman. 

Napier, Lee, Rt. 4, Eastman. 

Nealy, Jim, Rt. 2, Milan. 

Nelson, Ambus, Rt. 1, Gresston. 
Nelson, Charlie, Chester. 

Nelson, John, Rt. 6, Eastman. 
Nelson, Johnson, Rt. 1, Gresston. 
Norman, John, Eastman. 

Northern, Charlie E., Rt. 2, Eastman. 
O’Neal, Marshall, Chauncey. 

Payne, Calvin, Chauncey. 

Payne, Hansell R., Rt. 8, Eastman. 
Payne, Levi P., Chauncey. 

Peacock, Eli, Rt. 3, Eastman. 
Penniman, Anthony. Rt. 7. Eastman. 
Peterson, Marcus, Rt. 6, Eastman. 
Pickett, Taylor. Rt. 1, Gresston. 
Powell, Henry C,, Gresston. 

Powers, Herrman, Rt. 7, Eastman. 
Prince, Willie Rt. 3, Eastman. 
Quinn. Frank Eastman. 

Quinn. Rayfield. Eastman. 

Randall, James, Rt. 1, Gresston. 
Rawlins, John, Rhine. 

Rawlins. Walker. Plainfield. 

Reaves, Wiley, Rt. 3 Rhine. 
Reaves, Henry, Rhine. 

Reaves, James N., Rhine. 

Reddick, Will, Chauncey. 

Reaves, Charlie, Rt. 4, Eastman. 
Reese, Herbert, Rt. 7, Eastman. 
Reese, James, Rt. 7, Eastman. 
Reeves, Albert, Rt. 1, Eastman. 
Reeves, Charlie, Rhine. 

Reid, Henry, Eastman. 

Reid, Sam, Rt. 1, Gresston. 

Renfroe, Willie, Rt. 3, Eastman. 
Reynolds, Alec, Jr.. Rt. 2, Eastman. 
Rhyne, Arcillin. Eastman. 

Rhyne, James, Eastman. 

Roberson, Charlton, Rt. 4, Eastman. 
Robertson. Sam, Rt. 2, Eastman. 
Rouse, Ed, Chester. 

Rozier, Oscar, Gresston. 

Russin, Jinks, Rt. 3, Rhine. 

Rushing, Charlie, Rt. 3, Rhine. 
Russell, Charlie, Rt. 2, Eastman. 
Russell. John, Rt. 2, Eastman. 
Scollit, Warren, Rt. 4, Eastman. 
Shaw, Willie, Eastman. 

Shield. John, Rt. 8, Eastman. 

Shivers, Dave, Rt. 4, Eastman. 
Shivers, Isaac, Rt. 4, Eastman. 
Shumake, Willie, Jr., Rt. 2, Eastman. 
Simmons, Eddie, Chauncey. 


146 


History of Dodge County 


Simmons, Jim, Rt. 2, Eastman. 
Simpson, Tommie, Eastman. 

Smith, Charles, Gresston. 

Smith, Crawford, Rt. 2, Chester. 
Smith, Duke, Rt. 3, Eastman. 
Smith, Elija, Jr., Rt. 3, Eastman. 
Smith, Ezra, Rt. 3, Eastman. 
Smith, Jim, Rt. 3, Eastman. 
Smith, Jessie, Eastman. 

Smith, Jodie, Rt. 4, Eastman. 
Smith, Joe, Eastman. 

Smith, John W., Eastman. 

Smith, John, Rt. 1, Eastman. 
Smith, Press, Chester. 

Smith, Sam, Eastman. 

Snell, Add T., Eastman. 

Spivey, Alex, Rt. 2, Eastman. 
Stanley, William, Chauncey. 
Stuart, John C., Eastman. 

Swintz, Marshall, Rt. 2, Eastman. 
Tate, George, Rt. 5, Riceville. 
Taylor, Joe, Eastman. 

Tharpie, Ambus, Chauncey. 
Thomas, Charlie, Eastman. 
Thomas, Dock, Rt. 1, Eastman. 
Thomas, Jack, Eastman. 

Thomas, Sam (or Jam), Eastman. 
Truett, Kirby, Chester. 


*Deserters. 

Deceased 

Braswell, Elbert, Younker. 

Davis, Eddie, Rt. 3, Rhine. 

Epps, William, Rt. 1, Gresston. 

Glenn, William, Rhine. 

Harrell, Willie, Rt. 1, Gresston. 

Irby, Oscar, Jr., Rt. 2, Eastman. 
Lynch, Noah, Rt. 6, Eastman. 


Tuff, Sam, Rt. 4, Eastman. 

Wade, Nobles, Chester. 

Walker, Emory, Rhine. 

* Walker, Henry, Eastman. 

Wallace, Laborn, Rt. 3, Eastman. 
Ware, George, Eastman. 

Warren, William, Rt. 2, Eastman. 
Warte, John, Rt. 1, Eastman. 
Washington, Offie, Plainfield. 

White, Harrison, Plainfield. 

White, Jake B., Chester. 

White, Marion, Chester. 

W'ilcher, Amos, Rt. 1, Empire. 
Willcox, Nepton, Rhine. 

Willcox, Walker, Rt. 1, Rhine. 
Willcox, William, Rt. 2, Rhine. 
Willcox, Everett, Rt. 1, Rhine. 
Willcox, Issom, Rt. 1, Rhine. 
Willcox, Oscar, Rt. 2, Rhine. 
Willcox, Trick, Rt. 1, Rhine. 
Williams, Clarence, Rt. 2, Eastman. 
Williams, Eddie, Rt. 2, Eastman. 
Williams, Este, Rt. 1, Dubois. 
Williams, Elija L.. Rt. I, Eastman. 
Williams, Oscar, Rhine. 

Williams, Zack, Younker. 

Williams, Zeak, Rt. 2, Eastman. 
Wright, Seaborn, Rt. 4, Eastman. 


Colored. 

McGriff, Allen, Eastman. 

Nelson, Timothy, Eastman. 

Ray, Robert, Plainfield. 

Showers, James, Rt. 1, Gresston. 
Simpson. Hugh, Eastman. 

Smith, Virgil, Rt. 1, Chester. 
White, Andrew, Rt. 3, Rhine. 


WORLD WAR ACTIVITIES. 

Soon after war was declared upon Germany by the United States, 
Mrs. T. H. Edwards, Mrs. Sig Harris and Mrs. Walter Clements 
began plans for organizing a Red Cross Chapter in the county. 

At a mass meeting held at the court house, which was attended by 
men and women from all over the county, a chapter was organized 
known as the Dodge County Chapter of the American Red Cross, 
with the following officers: Chairman, D. D. Smith; Vice-Chairman, 
Mrs. T. H. Edwards; Treasurer, T. H. Prince. The first contribution 
was $1,366.35. 



World War Activities 


147 


A work room was established in the Sunday school rooms of the 
Methodist Church, with Mrs. Sig Harris and Mrs. W. M. Clements 
in charge. All the women’s organizations of the town co-operated 
in the work and thousands of garments, knitted garments, etc., were 
made, also surgical dressings of all kinds. Mrs. W. H. Clements 
was at the head of the Home Service Department, with Col. M. J. 
Carswell as treasurer. Their duty was to help the families of the 
soldiers who were in distress or needy circumstances, and to help 
them in getting in touch with their boys at the front. The amount 
of work done in both branches of the Red Cross can never be fully 
recorded, but Dodge County went over the top in all phases of war 
work, responding with generosity to every call. Mr. Prince resigned 
as treasurer of the chapter, and Miss Maude Peacock was elected 
in his place. After a few months Miss Peacock resigned, and Mrs. 
W. P. Cobb was elected, which position she held until the chapter 
was disbanded after the war. 

As the increased demands for supplies came the United States 
Government began launching the Liberty Loan drives, and the Thrift 
and War Savings Stamps were put out for those who felt they could 
not afford to buy the larger bonds. 

As each of the five calls came the people of Dodge County re¬ 
sponded generously and went over the top. 

With so large a number of men in service the casualty lists which 
appeared daily in the newspapers were scanned with fear and ap¬ 
prehension by all the relatives and friends of those who were away. 

The first Dodge County boy to pay the supreme sacrifice was 
Albert M. Hargrove, one of the most popular and most beloved 
young men of Eastman. He was Corporal of the 5th Marines, and 
was killed in the battle of Chateau Thierry or Belleau Woods, when 
the 5th and 6th Marines turned the tide of battle there. 

COL. WM. FEW CHAPTER, 

Daughters of the American Revolution. 

The Col. Wm. Few Chapter, D. A. R., so named for one of the 
two signers of the Constitution of the United States from Georgia, 
was organized on the morning of April 23, 1913, at the home of 
Mrs. Valeria Sauls Peacock, mother of the organizing regent, Mrs. 
Bessie Peacock Wilkins. Fourteen women had qualified for mem- 


148 


History of Dodge County 


bership, of whom ten were present at the organization meeting. 
With the organizing regent presiding, the following officers were 
elected to serve for one year: 

Regent, Mrs. Bessie Peacock Wilkins; First Vice-Regent, Mrs. Ethel King 
Hurst; Recording Secretary, Mrs. Fannie Rudisill Bealer; Corresponding Secre¬ 
tary, Mrs. Ina Fisher Hall; Registrar, Miss Fannie Kate Persons; Treasurer, 
Mrs. Mamie Sapp Prince; Historian, Mrs. Clifford Peacock McRae. 

The charter members of the chapter (several having joined the 
chapter before charter was acquired) are as follows: 

Mrs. Bessie Peacock Wilkins, Mrs. Valeria Sauls Peacock, Mrs. Mabel Dye 
Williams, Mrs. Mamie Sapp Prince, Mrs. Clifford Peacock McRae, Mrs. Fan¬ 
nie Rudisill Bealer, Mrs. Ethel King Hurst, Mrs. Rosalind Waite Atwill, Mrs. 
Mittie Lucas Edwards, Miss Fannie Kate Persons, Mrs. Estora Peacock Stevens, 
Mrs. Ina Fisher Hall, Mrs. Isabel Jane Dye, Mrs. Addie Davis Cobb, Mrs. May 
DeLacey Jessup, Mrs. Mattie McWilliams Anderson, Mrs. Lillie Mae Peacock 
Smyley, Mrs. Pearl Peacock Mathers, Mrs. Julia Peacock Fitzgerald, Mrs. 
Ophelia Edwards Peacock, Mrs. Georgia B. Lee Whaley. 

Of the twenty-one charter members only ten remain members of 
the chapter at this writing. 

The infant chapter began its work along educational and con¬ 
structive lines, and during the first years of its existence established 
a record for interest and effort in these endeavors. Medals for the 
highest average in the study of United States history were offered 
in the different grades of the public school and this precedent has 
been followed throughout the following years. Another custom 
which has been established and followed yearly is the singing of 
the Christmas carols by the children of the town. The first band 
of carolers were trained by the regent, Mrs. Wilkins, and the vice¬ 
regent, Mrs. Hurst. It has now become a custom to make an of¬ 
fering to the carolers, this fund being sent to the Georgia orphans’ 
homes. 

Mrs. Bessie Peacock Wilkins, organizing regent and first regent, 
served the chapter four years, and her administration was marked by 
a number of outstanding events, the most notable being the erection 
of markers at the graves of two Revolutionary soldiers, John Daniel 
and Stewart Hamilton, and a bronze tablet erected at the court house 
to the memory of Wm. E. Dodge and William Pitt Eastman for 
whom the county and town are named. A chapter library was es¬ 
tablished; a flag pole was erected at the city school and a flag pre¬ 
sented; a rest room for country women was maintained at the 


Col. Wm. Few Chapter, D. A. R. 


149 


county court house, and the Christmas charity work established 
which sent hundreds of bags of candy, fruit, and toys into the homes 
of the poor of our community. 

In 1916 Mrs. Leroy Pharr was elected regent of the chapter, and 
is known as our “war regent,” she having guided the chapter through 
the most trying and strenuous year of its life, doing this so well and 
with such ability that the war work of the Col. Wm. Few Chapter is 
one of which we are justly proud. During her one year’s adminis¬ 
tration $40.00 were contributed to the Third Liberty Loan Drive; 
$25.00 to the purchase of an ambulance the Georgia D. A. R. were 
presenting; the maintaining of Marcel Girard, a French war orphan 
was undertaken; a $25.00 scholarship to the State College of Agri¬ 
culture was presented a county Canning Club girl, and a splendid 
flag pole and flag were presented to the county and erected at the 
court house grounds with appropriate ceremonies. Every member 
was doing Red Cross work and the chapter’s individual contribution 
was two dozen glasses of jelly. Aside from this every phase of the 
routine work of the chapter was kept up. 

In 1919 Mrs. W. B. Daniel, loved by the entire membership for 
her loyalty and faithful service, first came to us as regent. The 
splendid war work was continued under her wise guidance. It is 
interesting to note from a report from her at this time the work 
of the War Relief Committee of the chapter, which is as follows: 


Number of garments knitted . 44 

Comfort bags . 20 

Property bags . 29 

Housewives . 5 

Number glasses of jelly . 77 

Number of soldiers entertained in homes . 57 

Money for French war orphans . $383.25 

Money for Tilloloy fund . 20.00 

Money for Crawford Long bed . 15.00 

Money for Allies . 28.00 

Number garments sent French refugees . 42 

Cash to Red Cross . $534.50 

Hospital garments made . 150 

Number Garments knitted . 12 

Amount invested in Liberty Bonds . $8 400.00 

Amount Liberty Bonds sold .$110 000.00 


This is not the full report but enough is given to show the zeal 
and purpose of the chapter in those stirring days. 


















150 


History of Dodge County 


A service flag, in which stars were arranged to form the D. A. R. 
insignia, was presented to the county at a beautiful and impressive 
service. 

Mrs. Wright Daniel, daughter-in-law of the former regent, was 
elected in 1921 to guide the chapter, and during her one year's ad¬ 
ministration gave herself unsparingly to the work, continuing along 
lines already begun. The third scholarship to a Canning Club was 
presented this year and contributions to all State calls were gen¬ 
erously made. 

Mrs. W. B. Daniel was again elected regent of the chapter and 
served in this capacity until 1926. These five years mark the re¬ 
construction period in our chapter life—the readjustment in manner 
of living from the strenuous war period to the quiet times of peace; 
the effort to refill our chapter’s diminished coffers. To this end a 
Christmas bazaar, a Kiwanis banquet, and many other things were 
sponsored, netting the chapter treasury a goodly sum. 

Much interest centered in the celebration of Armistice Day and 
the sale of poppies. On one occasion a large memorial parade was 
sponsored by the chapter. Other noteworthy undertakings were the 
presentation of a $200.00 scholarship; the planting of five memo¬ 
rial trees on the school grounds; the marking of the grave of lea 
Atkins, Revolutionary soldier, and a Child Welfare class which re¬ 
sulted in a higher standard in the child health of our town and 
county. A memorial chair in honor of Mrs. Bessie Peacock Wilkins 
was presented to the new Constitution Hall in Washington, D. C. 

In 1926 Mrs. Edwin Jessup became regent of the chapter and 
served faithfully and capably for one year. To Mrs. Jessup’s broad 
knowledge of the work and wide grasp of the chapter’s problems is 
due a year of splendid accomplishment. As first vice-regent during 
the enforced absence of the regent, it was Mrs. Jessup’s duty to carry 
on the work during a part of the two previous years, and to her 
justly belongs the credit of many fulfilled hopes and dreams in our 
chapter life. 

For the past three years Mrs. W. B. Daniel has again been direct¬ 
ing the affairs of the chapter, and these years mark a period of har¬ 
monious work. 

It is a source of gratification to the chapter that two of its regents 
have been called into service as state officers; that it has always 


Col. Wm. Few Chapter, D. A. R. 


151 


stood ready to answer any call for service from town and county; 
that it continues to function when other organizations have failed. 
This, we believe, is due to an unsurpassed loyalty and a devotion to 
the principles for which Daughters of the American Revolution 
stand. 

Mrs. T. J. Sappington is the newly elected regent of the Col. Wm. 
Few Chapter, D. A. R. 

Mrs. Sappington was Mary Frances Berger, daughter of James 
Hurt Berger and Fanny Elizabeth Clark Berger, and was born and 
reared in Charlotte County, Virginia. She is a graduate of Black- 
stone College for Women, Blackstone, Virginia. She came to Geor¬ 
gia as a school teacher. It was while teaching in Sparks College, 
Sparks, Georgia, that she met and married Col. T. J. Sappington, 
and came to Eastman to make her home. 

Mrs. Sappington has been active in church work as well as in 
club work. She is District Secretary of the Woman’s Missionary 
Society of the Methodist Church, teacher of the young ladies’ class 
in the Methodist Sunday School. She was instrumental in re-organ¬ 
izing the Woman’s Club, and served two years as its president. In 
May of this year she was elected regent of the D. A. R. chapter. 

Roster of Members—D. A. R. 

Name National Number Ancestor 

Anderson, Mrs. C. A. L. (Mary E. Edwards) .104281. Elija Ball 

Arthur. Mrs. J. M. (Helen Willcox).260076. John Willcox 

Atwell, Mrs. C. W. (Rosa Waite).100858. John Peacock 

Bohannon. Mrs. J. M. (Mattie Homes).163178. John Williams 

Bozeman, Miss Estelle.149693. John Willcox 

Burch, Mrs. R. F., Jr. (Belle Moore).165415. Levi Harrell 

Brantley, Mrs. George (Dora Calhoun).242903. Stewart Hamilton 

Clark, Mrs. W. H. (Elizabeth Daniel).184458. Aaron Daniel 

Cobb, Mrs. W. P. (Addie Davis).102131. Lt. Lewis Hall 

Coffee, Mrs. A. L. (Leila Williams). 145196. 

Coffee, Mrs. A. T. (Emmie Lumpkin).216146. John Wentz 

Coleman, Mrs. C. L. (Mary Goodmiller) .... 124540. John Tucker 

Coleman, Mrs. W. A. (Christine Edwards) ... 167186. Elija Ball 

Cook. Mrs. Romulus (Edith Sterling).260077. James Stanley 

Cummings, Mrs. Harry (Margaret Holmes) . .257783. Robt. Farquar 

Daniel, Mrs. W. J. (Minnie B. Knox).128016. Herod Gibbs 

Daniel, Mrs. W. B. (Mary Mitchell).108092. Stephen Mitchell 

Daniel, Mrs. John Hrene Butler).122404. Thomas Rowland 

































152 


History of Dodge County 


Denney, Mrs. E. R. (Annie Maude Burch) .. .267645.-Levi Harrell 

Dickens, Mrs. H. E. (Mona Coleman).125730.John Tucker 

Edwards, Mrs. T. H. (Annie Burch).120843. Thomas Wiley 

Fitzgerald, Mrs. Julia Peacock .101146. John Peacock 

Gallemore, Mrs. L. L. (Nora Adams).205669. James Gilmore 

Gentry, Mrs. 0. A. (Birdie Baxter).104724. William Barton 

Harrell, Mrs. Jno. D. (Annie L. Brumby) ...260078. Richard Asbury 

Harrell, Miss Edna M.193447. Levi Harrell 

Harrell, Mrs. Alice Powell .112278. John Kendrick 

Harrell, Miss Gussie .131265. Levi Harrell 

Harrell, Miss Mittie .131266. Levi Harrell 

Harrell, Mrs. Jeter A. (Gertrude Clements) .. 163976. Daniel McArthur 

Hinson, Mrs. J. E. (Lillian Swinney).163977. Moses Newton 

Jessup, Mrs. W. L. (May D'eLacey).102132.Lt. Lewis Hall 

Jessup, Mrs. E. H. (Lee Cheney).187401. Thomas King 

Methvin, Mrs. C. M. (Eugenia Bone).109068. Daniel McArthur 

Milner, Mrs. J. H. (Hattie Harrell).120815. Levi Harrell 

McDonald, Mrs. J. H. (Verna Harrell).130071. Levi Harrell 

McGee, Miss Marjorie .137081. John Peacock 

McGee, Miss Valeria .137082. John Peacock 

O’Callaghan, Mrs. H. M. (Birdie Daniel) .... 107178. Aaron Daniel 

Peacock, Mrs. L. M., Sr. (Valeria Sauls)_100559. Reddin McCoy 

Persons, Miss Fanny Kate . 98935. William Persons 

Ragan, Mrs. R. T. (Elsie Wilkinson).260079. Levi Harrell 

Roberts, Mrs. J. H. (Annie Adams).205670. James Gilmore 

Sappington, Mrs. T. J. (Frances Berger)-256240. Jacob Berger 

Skelton, Mrs. M. P. (Jeanet Harrell).171960. Levi Harrell 

Smiley, Mrs. S. C. (Lillie M. Peacock).100963. John Peacock 

Sterling, Mrs. R. Z. (Sara Obedience).116639.Stephen Mitchell 

Ursery, Mrs. Helen Methvin .220094. Daniel McArthur 

Wilkins, Mrs. A. L. (Bessie Peacock). 84018. Nicholas Coker 

Wilkins, Mrs. W. J. (Annie Wooten).106246.Daniel McArthur 

Williamson, Mrs. J. G. (Georgia Lee Graham). Lt. Lewis Hall 

Willcox, Miss Ethel .260080. John Willcox 

Wynne, Mrs. Robert (Jessie Littlejohn).105452.. .John Middlebrooks. Jr. 






























































Fanny Gordon Chapter, U. D. C. 


153 



MRS. W. B. DANIEL, 

10 years regent of D. A. R. Chapter. 

THE FANNY GORDON CHAPTER, 

United Daughters of the Confederacy. 

The Fanny Gordon Chapter, United Daughters of the Confederacy, 
was organized on the 7th of May, 1908, with the following officers: 

President, Mrs. Eugenia Campbell Edwards; 1st Vice-President, Miss Emma 
George Persons; 2nd Vice-President, Mrs. Hal Roberts; Recording Secretary, 
Mrs. J. M. Bohannon; Corresponding Secretary, Mrs. S. C. Smiley; Treasurer, 
Mrs. Walter M. Clements; Registrar, Miss Fanny Kate Persons; Historian, 
Mrs. J. D. Williams. 

One of the first achievements of the U. D. C. was the erection of 
the Confederate monument at a cost of $3,000.00. The membership 
continued to grow, this being the first organization of a social nature 
in the town. A Lyceum course was put on for many years, and many 
other things for the betterment of the town at large. 

Mrs. Edwards continued as President of the chapter until 1915 
when Mrs. Sig Harris became the President. She held the office one 







154 


History of Dodge County 


year, during which time the State Convention was held here. It was 
at this convention that the U. D. C. decided on the Stone Mountain 
Confederate Memorial. Mrs. Walter Lamar of Macon was State 
President at that time. Many elaborate social affairs were held dur¬ 
ing the convention for the guests. Mrs. Edwards again took the 
leadership in 1916 and served until May, 1917, when Mrs. W. P. 
Cobb was elected as the President. War had just been declared with 
Germany, and this meant much hard work for the U. D. C. mem¬ 
bers. They plunged in undaunted and did much worthwhile war 
work. All members began knitting for the soldiers. They also worked 
at the Red Cross work room, making garments and rolling bandages. 
The chapter did individual work apart from the Red Cross. A bed 
was endowed in one of the American hospitals in France, garments 
and knitted sets were sent over seas, the members assisted in all 
phases of war work, including the Liberty Loans, the War Savings 
Stamps, etc. 

THE AMERICAN LEGION AND AUXILIARY. 

The Dodge County Post of the American Legion was organized in 
1929 with about thirty members. The membership has grown stead¬ 
ily since, and now numbers about a hundred. A. E. Rozar was elected 
the Post Commander and P. M. Burch, Adjutant. At the next elec¬ 
tion P. M. Burch was elected Commander. A. E. Rozar was again 
elected Commander, but resigned, and his brother, W. C. Rozar, was 
elected to fill out his unexpired term. The newly elected officers are: 
J. G. Williamson, Commander, and D. F. Thomas, Adjutant. 

The Legion has accomplished many things worthwhile since its 
organization. Disabled veterans have been given aid in preparation 
of their claims, and in getting them placed in Government hospitals. 
The Legion sponsored the distribution of 5,040 sacks of flour given 
by the American Red Cross for the relief of the poor in Dodge 
County this summer. 

They have plans under way to erect a log cabin club house in the 
near future. An Auxiliary was organized about a year ago, with a 
good membership. Mrs. LeSesns Bush was elected as the leader of 
this organization. 

THE W. C. T. U. 

The Woman’s Christian Temperance Union was organized April, 
1903, with seventy-five active and twenty-five honorary members, by 


The W. C. T. U. 


155 


Mrs. Ada Wallace Unruh, of Portland, Oregon. Officers elected were: 
President, Mrs. M. H. Edwards; Vice-President, Mrs. J. F. DeLacey; 
Recording Secretary, Mrs. J. M. Bohannon; Treasurer, Mrs. Mather 
Wynne. 

The first social meeting of the Union, held at the Uplands Hotel 
in the winter of 1904, was a pronounced success. Every family in 
the town of Eastman received a written invitation to this affair. 

From the day of organization the Union flourished and progressed. 
The organization was so virile and effective from the very first that 
wise heads predicted state prohibition would be the result, and so 
it proved. From this union came the State president, Mrs. Mary 
Harris Armor, and State corresponding secretary, Mrs. M. H. Ed¬ 
wards, who instigated and led the victorious fight for state-wide 
prohibition in 1908. 

For the children a flourishing Loyal Temperance Legion led by 
Mrs. E. H. Bacon, Mrs. W. A. Burks, Mrs. W. B. Daniel and others 
was organized. The membership of this Legion numbered over a 
hundred children, some of whom appeared on State convention pro¬ 
grams as delegates and participants in declamation contests. One 
hundred dollars was contributed annually by the Union for promo¬ 
tion of the temperance cause in the State and Nation. The depart¬ 
mental work was stressed, especially the educational feature, and 
the work of the department of Flower Mission and Relief. 

In the fall of 1903 Eastman entertained the State convention. 
Mrs. Jennie Hart Sibley, of Union Point, was at this time the State 
president. For many years Eastman Union was the honor Union of 
the State. The following ladies served as State departmental super¬ 
intendents: Mrs. E. H. Bacon, Mrs. J. F. DeLacey, Mrs. T. H. Ed¬ 
wards, Mrs. James Bishop, Mrs. M. H. Edwards. 

Due to the work and influence of members of this Union the town 
and county were spared the erection of that monstrosity known as a 
dispensary. As a constructive measure in the field of education Dr. 
E. 0. Taylor, of Boston, Mass., was invited to visit the town and de¬ 
livered his five famous lectures on Scientific Temperance Instruction 
in the spring of 1904. 

The Union has always had the benefit of the moral support and 
encouragement of the churches, and in turn it has co-operated with 
civic and patriotic organizations in advancing, not only community 


156 


History of Dodge County 


interests but even those of a national and world-wide nature. Red 
Cross work, the purchase of Liberty Bonds, the support of a French 
war orphan, and contributions to Near East Relief Fund are some of 
the Union’s outstanding contributions. This Union’s greatest gift to 
the temperance cause has been that intrepid, flaming evangel for 
sobriety and righteousness, Mary Harris Armor. One of the most 
forward steps for civic improvement has been the promotion of 
shrubbery planting, flower growing, and general cultural improve¬ 
ment of home grounds, city parks and cemetery lots. The Union, 
through its departmental work, seeks to emphasize educational work 
showing the evil effects of alcohol and narcotics upon body, brain 
and morals, and stresses relief work, child welfare, health, peace 
and international relations as well as other features. The work for 
the children continues through the Loyal Temperance Legion. 

Since organization the following have served as presidents: Mrs. 
M. H. Edwards, Mrs. J. M. Bohannon, Mrs. Dudley Smith, Mrs. 
Alice P. Harrell and Mrs. Roy Pennington. 

At some later date a Union was organized at Chauncey, Dodge 
County. Mrs. Jack Willis is at this time President of that Union; 
Mrs. D. B. Phillips, Treasurer. 



MARKER ERECTED BY THE U. D. C., IN 1918, 

On spot, 4 miles from Eastman, where President Jefferson Davis, his family 
and a small force of cavalry, camped on the night of May 8, 1865, two days 
before his capture in Irwin County. The old darkey holding Confederate flag 
is John Davis, carriage driver for Mrs. Davis. Others in the picture are Rev. 
IF. M. Blitch, Martha Edwards and Mrs. W. P. Cobb, President of the U. D. C. 

The oak tree is one to which President Davis’ horse was tied all night. 



PHYSICIANS. 


rpHE following physicians have practiced in Eastman: Dr. J. R. 

Mood, Dr. Ike Mitchell, Dr. Joe Estes, Dr. J. H. Teasley, Dr. 
Montgomery, Dr. J. T. Rose, Dr. W. E. Miller, Dr. J. H. Lasher, 
Dr. D. M. Buchan, Dr. J. M. Buchan, Dr. T. J. Buchan, Dr. J. W. 
Buchan, Dr. Weaver. The above were pioneer physicians who prac¬ 
ticed in Eastman during its infancy. The following have resided 
here in more recent years: 

Dr. J. D. Herrman. 

Dr. Herrman was one of the most prominent physicians who ever 
practiced here. He was a son of Henry Herrman, a pioneer settler 
in Eastman. Dr. Herrman began the practice of medicine when 
Eastman was only a small hamlet. He was an enterprising citizen as 
well as an eminent physician, having served the town of Eastman in 
various official capacities. He served several terms as mayor, as 
councilman, and as a member of the school board. No one citizen 
ever did more for the town’s civic upbuilding than did Dr. Herrman. 
He served as High Priest of Ivanhoe Chapter No. 5 in Eastman 
Lodge F. & A. M. No. 279 for several consecutive terms. He mar¬ 
ried Miss Nettie Hirsch, and they were the parents of two children, 
Ferdinand Hirsch, who also became a prominent physician, and 
Hortense, who married Ben Morris, of New York City. Dr. Herrman 
moved to Far Rockaway, N. Y., about ten years ago where he con¬ 
tinued in the practice of his profession until the time of his death 
about a year ago. 

Dr. Ferdinand H. Herrman. 

Dr. Ferdinand Hirsch Herrman, son of Dr. J. D. Herrman, grad¬ 
uated in medicine at Tulane University just before the World War. 
He was one of the first to volunteer his services to his country, and 
was sent over seas as Captain of the 2nd Division U. S. Army Med¬ 
ical Corps, and was Acting Regimental Surgeon of the 2nd Engi¬ 
neers. He was cited for bravery in action in the Soissons offensive 
and received the Croix de Guerre. After his return from France in 
1919 he and his father formed a partnership in the practice of med¬ 
icine and surgery. 


Physicians 


159 


Dr. J. B. Clark. 

Dr. J. B. Clark was another outstanding physician, having been 
born and reared in Dodge County. He had a large and lucrative 
practice in this and adjoining counties. He contributed largely to 
the upbuilding of Eastman. He was High Priest of Ivanhoe Chapter 
No. 5, and was also Worshipful Master of the Eastman Masonic 
Lodge, No. 279, for twelve years. Dr. Clark was married to Miss 
Annie Harwell of Virginia, and they were the parents of one son, 
Fred H., who graduated in medicine in Baltimore, and is practicing 
his profession in that city, where he is connected with Johns Hop¬ 
kins as an instructor; two daughters, Misses Alma and Mary, who 
reside in Virginia. Dr. Clark married second Mrs. Georgia Johnson, 
daughter of W. S. Coody, of Rhine. 

Dr. J. Cox Wall. 

Dr. Wall began the practice of medicine here about twenty-five 
years ago. He now enjoys a large practice, not only in Dodge, but 
in the surrounding counties. He is an enterprising citizen, being at 
present chairman of the City School Board. He and Dr. B. W. Yawn 
are the owners of the Eastman Clinic. Dr. Wall married Miss Maude 
Allen, and they are the parents of two children, a son, Jack, who 
married Marietta Fitzgerald, and a daughter, Miss Mary Allen Wall. 

Dr. Warren A. Coleman. 

Dr. Coleman is one of the younger physicians who has built up 
a remarkable practice through this section. He is the owner of Cole¬ 
man’s Sanatorium. Dr. Coleman served for quite a while as chair¬ 
man of the City School Board, and has also been county physician 
for the past twelve years. He married Miss Christine Edwards, and 
they are the parents of two little girls, Emily Carr and Bootee. 

Dr. C. T. Latimer. 

Dr. C. T. Latimer was a pioneer physician in Eastman, having 
come here when the town was in its infancy. Dr. Latimer was a 
Confederate Veteran and served as surgeon in the army. He was 
quite prominent in the affairs of Dodge County. He married a Miss 
Knowles, and they were the parents of two daughters, Mamie, who 
married Olin Pharr, and Clara. 


160 


History of Dodge County 


Dr. Harris Fisher. 

Dr. Harris Fisher was a pioneer physician in Eastman. He was a 
Confederate Veteran, and served as surgeon in the Confederate 
Army. He enjoyed a large practice in Eastman and Dodge County, 
and was also one of the leaders in civic improvements. Dr. Fisher 
sponsored the first Dodge County Fair ever held, which proved quite 
successful from every standpoint. He was the father of Guyton, who 
became one of the most prominent ministers in the South Georgia 
Conference; Ina, who married W. R. Hall; Maude and Louise. 


Dr. B. W. Yawn. 

Dr. Yawn came to Eastman a few years ago from Milan, Ga., and 
since coming to Eastman has built up for himself an enviable record 
in the practice of his profession. He is associated with Dr. Wall in 
the operation of the Eastman Clinic, and is recognized as one of the 
leading physicians of this section. 

Dr. A. L. Wilkins. 

Another prominent physician who practiced his profession in 
Eastman for several years was Dr. A. L. Wilkins. He came here 
from Jesup, Ga., about twenty-seven years ago and soon built up a 
large practice. He passed away a few years ago just in the prime 
of life. Dr. Wilkins was beloved by our entire citizenship. He was 
first married to Miss Nina Little, and after her death married Miss 
Bessie Peacock, daughter of Mr. L. M. Peacock, Sr. 

Dr. I. J. Parkerson. 

Dr. Parkerson is a son of Mr. W. L. Parkerson of near this city. 
He is one of the outstanding physicians of this section, and enjoys 
a large and lucrative practice. He is also one of the younger physi¬ 
cians of the town, and has a bright future in his chosen profession. 
His wife was Miss Annie Smith, and they have two small children. 

Dr. E. L. Smith. 

Dr. Smith moved to Eastman from Plainfield a few years ago, 
and has a large practice in this section. He is a man of good busi¬ 
ness judgment and has accumulated considerable real estate. 


Physicians 


161 


Dr. John Burch. 

Dr. John Burch was one of the most popular and beloved citizens 
who ever practiced medicine in this section. His only thought was 
to relieve suffering regardless of the financial consequence, and he 
never refused to go when called to either rich or poor. He died when 
still a young man. He was the son of Hon. M. L. Burch, who for 
years was County School Superintendent of this county. 

Dr. W. W. Puett. 

Dr. Puett was another physician who practiced here a short time 
only, having moved here from Rhine, Ga. After a short sojourn here 
he moved to Duluth, Ga. He had a splendid practice while here, and 
he and his wife were both very much beloved by a large circle of 
acquaintances. 

Dr. Harlow Peacock. 

Dr. Peacock is the youngest physician of this city, having grad¬ 
uated at a medical college in Chicago only a few years ago. He has 
a promising future in his chosen profession. He is a son of Mr. 
Richard Peacock of this city. 

Colored Physicians. 

The following colored physicians have practiced their profession 
in Eastman: 

Dr. J. H. Thurber, Dr. W. L. Jenkins, Dr. F. M. Hill, and Dr. 
W. L. Whitehead, all of whom have made good citizens and enjoyed 
a large practice among the colored people. 

DENTISTS. 

The following dentists have practiced their profession in East¬ 
man: 

Dr. T. J. Key, Dr. McGhee, Dr. Betts, Dr. E. Hill, Dr. Hicks, Dr. 
W. J. Wilkins, Dr. J. D. Williams, Dr. J. H. McDonald, Dr. A. 
Luther Wilkins, Dr. M. K. Sharp. 

VETERINARIANS. 

The following veterinary surgeons have practiced their profes¬ 
sion in Eastman: 


162 


History of Dodge County 


Dr. Parrish, Dr. Joe Vara, Dr. Bagwell, and Dr. R. S. Duffell. 

Dr. Duffell, who at present resides here, is considered one of the 
best veterinarians in the State, and not only has a large practice in 
Dodge County, but also in several of the adjoining counties. He has 
a handsome brick hospital on Oak Street where horses, mules, dogs 
and other animals are brought for treatment. 

OLD TR4ILS. 

It is said that the Indians had a trail leading from near the forks 
of the Ocmulgee and Oconee Rivers, following closely the Ocmulgee 
Swamp to Hartford, and remains or signs of this trail may still be 
seen in places. 

The Indians had no permanent settlements in this section. Their 
towns and villages were located where they could find more fertile 
soil. It is said that the Indian women cultivated the land, and were 
wise enough not to waste their labor on unproductive soil. 

But their hunting parties made distant expeditions and roamed 
everywhere, having certain convenient places for locating their 
camps where they could cure and secure their meat until they were 
ready to return with it to their settlements, where the women and 
children cultivated the little patches. 

The white side of the river continued so thinly settled after the 
Indians had sold and abandoned it to the whites, that small hunt¬ 
ing parties of Indians would occasionally cross over the river to 
hunt on this side. Sometimes from two or three to half a dozen in 
a party would visit some of the white settlers, and it is related that 
the visiting Indians would approach so silently and stalking-like 
that they would never be seen until they were at you. Their first 
greeting or salutation would be a sort of grunt. 

The Chicken Road. 

There is a road through the county known as the “Chicken Road.” 
This road extends from the Oconee River, near Dublin, to Hartford. 
It has borne the name of the “Chicken Road” since the oldest in¬ 
habitants can remember, and the supposition or general belief is 
that it was an Indian trail which was made by a tribe of Chickasaw 
Indians who roamed from the Oconee to the Ocmulgee River. It is a 
public road now and traverses one of the best sections in the county, 


Old Trails 


163 


passing through Chester and Empire and thence to Hartford and 
Hawkinsville. 

The Old River Road. 

The public road from Hawkinsville, or Hartford, to Darien along 
the Ocmulgee and Altamaha Rivers was made by General Black- 
shear. The portion of the road through this section was probably 
opened in 1812 or 1813, when the forts and blockhouses were built 
in the country to protect the settlers from Indian attacks. In Janu¬ 
ary, 1815, General Blackshear marched his army over the road when 
he was ordered from Hartford to Darien to protect the coast from 
the British who had landed in that vicinity. He posted the road, 
placing the mile posts one and a quarter miles apart; the posts re¬ 
mained so for many years and are so remembered by many of the 
older residents of the county. 

On his march to Darien Gen. Blackshear camped at Soldiers 
Branch between Jacksonville and China Hill where some members 
of his company died and were buried near the road. He arrived at 
the Little Ocmulgee River, near Lumber City, on January 25 or 26, 
1815, remaining until the 27th, arranging to cross the river with 
his army. 

Much of the interesting history of this county occurred in the 
immediate territory traversed by this road along the Ocmulgee River. 
It is generally referred to as “the old River Road,” and it passes 
near Daniel’s Mill Pond, one of the most picturesque spots in the 
county. It also passes Rocky Springs and River Bend, two more 
beautiful sites, continuing on by Temperance, China Hill, Jackson¬ 
ville, (formerly the capital of Telfair County), Clayville and Lum¬ 
ber City. 

Prior to the War Between the States there was considerable wealth 
and culture along this road, in fact it was principally settled by the 
aristocracy of this section. The slave holders settled along the river 
where the lands were more fertile than the interior, and on account 
of transportation facilities on the river. There were planters of 
wealth and high social standing and men of note who resided along 
this road, among whom were Gen. Mark Willcox, Indian fighter and 
member of the legislature in whose honor Wilcox County was named, 
Gen. John Coffee who fought under Gen. Jackson in the British and 
Indian Wars and who served two terms in Congress, dying just as he 


164 


History of Dodge County 


was elected for the third term. He died in 1836. There were other 
men along this road who served the State well in peace and war, 
among whom were lea Adkins, Revolutionary soldier, John Daniel, 
Revolutionary soldier, the Bryants, Hamiltons, Humphreys, R. D. 
Mitchell, George M. Willcox, Kaynor Lowery, Alec Ragan, Simeon 
Bishop, and others. 

This old road is one of the most beautiful driveways in this sec¬ 
tion. In many places it is bordered with giant oaks and cedars mark¬ 
ing the remains of the beautiful old colonial homes, most of which 
have passed into decay at this time. Some few of the old mansions 
are still standing, and it is with a feeling of sacredness to travel 
along this route and in fancy see the beautiful homes, with the 
belles and beaus of yesterday passing in and out and down the 
cedar bordered walks, the girls dressed in their crinolines and hoop 
skirts and the young men in their quaint costumes of the long ago. 
In the quietude, with only the rustling of the leaves and the singing 
of the birds, methinks I hear the sound of the harp and the tripping 
of dainty feet, intermingled with the heavier tread, in the dance of 
the minuet. But gone are these maidens fair and lovers bold, dust to 
dust have they returned, and their descendants are scattered like the 
leaves in autumn. 

“The harp that once through Tara's halls 
The soul of music shed , 

Now hangs as mute on Tara's walls, 

As if that soul were fled. 

So sleeps the pride of former days, 

So glory's thrill is o'er, 

And hearts, that once heat high for praise. 

Now feel that pulse no more." 

DODGE COUNTY’S RECREATION GROUNDS, 

PAST AND PRESENT. 

Among the most popular of Dodge County’s recreation grounds 
of the past were what was known as Bishop’s Grove and Horne’s 
Mill. 

The first named was located within the corporate limits of East¬ 
man, and was a beautiful pine grove where the Sunday Schools of 
Eastman gathered once a year for their annual picnic. This popu- 


Recreation Grounds 


165 


lar place was also used by the boys and girls of Eastman whenever 
they wanted to spend a pleasant day close to nature and were bent 
on a picnic excursion. It was convenient on account of its accessa- 
bility, being located just in the rear of where Mr. and Mrs. J. J. 
Harrell now reside. The stately pines have within the past few years 
been removed, and it is now only a cherished thought in the mem¬ 
ory of those who spent many pleasant hours on this beautiful spot. 

Horne’s Mill, located six miles east of Eastman, is another popu¬ 
lar resort that has long since passed away. Here, too, the Sunday 
Schools of Eastman held some of their picnics. This spot was 
reached in two ways by the picnic crowds, namely: by private con¬ 
veyance, and through the courtesy of the Amoskeag Lumber Com¬ 
pany, which was located where Amoskeag now stands. This company, 
through the kindness of their manager, Mr. J. T. Colcord, would 
place at the disposal of the Sunday Schools the log trains of the 
company, and transport free of charge nearly the entire population 
of Eastman to this ideal picnic ground for a day of pleasure and 
recreation. Horne’s Mill, through the breaking of its dam, has 
passed into history, only to be remembered most pleasantly by 
those who were fortunate enough to have the privilege of visiting 
this spot. 

Another popular recreation ground was Aucheehatchie, located 
two and a half miles east of Eastman on the banks of Gum Swamp. 
This was a very popular picnic ground for Eastmanites. It was close 
to town and easily reached by private conveyance, and quite a num¬ 
ber of citizens of Eastman have passed many pleasant hours at this 
popular resort attending Sunday School, private and moonlight pic¬ 
nics. It, too, is numbered among the recreation grounds of the past, 
due to the fact that a sawmill was located on it and destroyed all 
of its beauty. 

One of the oldest and most popular resorts within the boundaries 
of Dodge County is Daniel’s Mill. This is one of the most beau¬ 
tiful picnic grounds in the State of Georgia, located on a large pond 
whose water is as clear as crystal, and making it possible for the 
“picnickers” to enjoy boating, and while thus engaged watch the 
finny tribes sporting through its waters, or leisurely drifting only 
a few inches from the bottom of the pond. It is only a mile from 
the Ocmulgee River, and the usual custom of the “picnickers” is to 


166 


History of Dodge County 


stroll down to the river bank after dinner and engage in target 
shooting or boating on the beautiful stream. 

Jay Bird Springs. 

Jay Bird Springs is at the present time about the most popular 
resort in the county. This place is destined to become not only a 
popular resort to Dodge County citizens, but to citizens of the United 
States, due to the health-giving waters at this place and the wonder¬ 
ful cures that have already been made. The owner of this popular 
resort, Mrs. T. A. McMillan, has bent every energy to make it rank 
with any in the State. A large swimming pool has been built, the 
water for which is furnished by an artesian well, dug especially for 
this purpose. A handsome hotel was erected a few years ago, and a 
number of cottages which are rented the entire summer to those 
seeking health and pleasure there. 

The waters of Jay Bird Springs have already made a reputation 
for the number of cures that have been made. People who are un¬ 
fortunate enough to be afflicted with eczema, and other skin diseases 
and cancerous sores go there perfect wrecks and after bathing in 
these waters and drinking freely of it, leave there entirely cured, 
only to “sing the praises” of this wonderful place. 

It is not an uncommon sight to go there and find people from the 
Carolinas, Florida, Alabama and other States, some bringing with 
them camping outfits, stretching their tents and spending weeks 
there, their purpose being in search of health, and their efforts are 
always rewarded for they not only have their health restored, but 
find a spot where the hours and days can be whiled away most 
pleasantly. 

THE EASTMAN BAPTIST CHURCH. 

Copied from article written by the late Walter M. Lee., A.M., Th.D. 
The Eastman Baptist Church was constituted June 1, 1878, the 
presbytery having been composed of Rev. W. S. Ramsay and Rev. 
F. C. Waite. The following members entered the organization: Rev. 
F. C. Waite, from Bethel Church, Bibb County; Deacon M. L. 
Burch, Mrs. E. A. Burch, Laurens County; Mrs. Georgia Yining, 
Senoia Church, and the following from Sugar Creek Church, Dodge 
County: Noah and Elizabeth Powell, Anna P. Ashburn, Ella Ash- 
burn, George C. Culbreth, Margaret Culbreth and W. S. Waite. 


Eastman Baptist Church 


167 


A decorum opposing traffic in liquor and participation in the dance 
was adopted. Rev. A. J. Battle of Mercer University, gave great 
satisfaction to the church and congregation by a sermon he preached 
soon after the organization. In September, 1878, Rev. James Wil¬ 
liamson was called to the pastorate, in which position he continued 
until October 23, 1880. 

During the pastorate of Rev. Mr. Williamson, a lovable and pious 
old gentleman of excellent pastoral gifts, M. L. Burch was elected 
clerk, and G. W. Culbreth was licensed to preach. The services were 
held in the court house, except at times when court was being held, 
at which time the Saturday services were dispensed with. 

During 1878 and the following years many of the members of old 
Sugar Creek Church gradually united with the Eastman Church. 
Rev. T. C. Boykin visited the church in February, 1879, in the in¬ 
terest of the Sunday School work. Rev. F. C. Waite was dismissed 
by letter to remove to other parts. Rev. P. A. Jessup and wife were 
received into the church by letter from South Macon August 16, 
1870. Immediately Mr. Jessup became an active member of the 
body. He was among the first messengers to the New Ebenezer As¬ 
sociation from the Eastman Church, and led in the movement to 
erect the first building for the church. Out of courtesy to the Sugar 
Creek Church, Rev. P. A. Jessup, on the 25th of October, 1879, made 
a motion that the Eastman Baptist Church be called the Eastman 
Sugar Creek Baptist Church, for the sake of harmony with the mem¬ 
bers of Sugar Creek Church, who had a commendable pride in its 
history. 

The Sugar Creek Baptist Church was established about the year 
1811, in what was then Pulaski County, and was located about a 
mile above Eastman on the Cochran road, just across the railroad 
from the cotton mill. Stone Creek Church, Wilkinson County, into 
the fellowship of which the father of Rev. P. A. Jessup had been 
baptized, was established in 1809. The Sugar Creek Church was dis¬ 
missed from the Hepzibah Association in 1813 to unite in forming 
the Ebenezer Association. It came out of the Ebenezer with the 
churches that formed the New Ebenezer. 

On October 25, 1879, the Methodist Church of Eastman offered 
to the Baptists the use of their building, which offer was accepted 
and thanks rendered therefor through a committee. February 21, 


168 


History of Dodge County 


1880, Rev. P. A. Jessup made a motion that plans for a church 
building be drawn and trustees be appointed to receive and hold 
titles for the same, the trustees being appointed as follows: D. M. 
Roberts, P. A. Jessup, M. L. Burch, J. J. Hamilton, H. S. Hill. The 
next day the site was located and subscription lists opened, or plans 
for the same were laid out. On October 23, 1880, Rev. P. A. Jessup 
was called to the pastorate, which office he held at various times for 
eleven years. Dr. Jessup, who under God had been such a mighty 
power in the evangelization and educational uplift of South Georgia 
during the past generation, was missionary at Eastman and vicinity 
during the early eighties of the last century. Pastor at Eastman 
eleven years, at Cochran five years, at Tifton four years, at Leesburg 
four years, at Cordele one year, at Sylvester five years, and at other 
prominent localities a leader in the work of Georgia Baptists, he 
accomplished a work that has been the foundation for the magnifi¬ 
cent superstructure of Baptist prosperity and growth, which we now 
discover on every hand. He has left his mark on nearly every prom¬ 
inent church in the southwestern section of Georgia. A member of 
the Georgia Baptist State Board of Missions for nine years, secretary 
of the South Georgia Baptist Convention for six years, and a trustee 
of Mercer University for twenty-two and a half years, his influence 
was known and perceptibly felt in every corner of the State. He was 
a leader in the foundation of several of the most prominent educa¬ 
tional institutions in South Georgia. His educational dreams for 
South Georgia are just now being realized in the prosperity of the 
institutions, which he aided in securing a foothold. His religious 
statesmanship and prophetic foresight should receive the recognition 
of the denomination. His faith in the future of South Georgia has 
been bright for these forty years. We are now entering into the fruit¬ 
age of his extensive labors, and sharing the delightful realization of 
his prophetic dreams. 

About Christmas, 1884, the Eastman Church received a handsome 
pulpit from a Boston, Mass., firm. During the preceding November 
a fruitful revival season was experienced, Dr. Jessup being pastor. 
Dr. Jessup has baptized hundreds of people over South Georgia. 
Even though dead he shall still speak through his works. Eastman 
Church should be thankful for having adopted this young seer in 
his early struggles. The Eastman Times spoke in high terms of praise 
of his Easter discourse in the spring of 1887. The church was beau- 


Eastman Baptist Church 


169 


tifully decorated for the occasion. Immediately after the ordination 
of Rev. R. E. L. Harris, in the fall of 1889, Rev. W. M. Harris, his 
brother, aided Dr. Jessup in a meeting. Dr. Jessup was frequently 
called upon to assist in ordaining deacons and bishops. 

During the first twenty-five years of the history of the Eastman 
Baptist Church it grew from a membership of thirteen to a hundred 
and ninety-nine. The latter number was reached during the pastorate 
of Rev. M. H. Massey. 

Rev. James Williamson, the first pastor, was a school teacher for 
many years. He taught and preached in Pulaski, Dodge, Telfair 
and Laurens Counties. He was for twenty years pastor of the Haw- 
kinsville Church and as such laid foundations for much of the prog¬ 
ress of South Georgia Baptists. He left Glasgow, Scotland, at seven¬ 
teen years of age, taking passage for Nova Scotia. Passing thence 
to New Orleans, he later walked overland to Savannah, preaching as 
he came along the way. He met and married a Mrs. Harvey, a 
widow, in Chatham County, soon after his arrival in Georgia. Of 
this union were born two sons, Rev. Raymond H. Williamson, who 
died in Clinch County, Georgia, after a useful career in the Baptist 
ministry, and Dr. Curtis Williamson, a physician, who lived and 
died in Laurens County, Georgia. The name of one of the three 
daughters of James Williamson by this union was Mary E. William¬ 
son, who was married to D. H. Maloy, a mechanic. Three sons of 
D. H. Maloy and wife became physicians, viz., John K., H. S., and 
W. C. Maloy, the first of whom lives at Milan and the last of whom 
lived at Rhine. The descendants of James Williamson have been 
faithful supporters of the Baptist cause in South Georgia. James 
Williamson was buried at Sharon Church, south of Rhine. Nearby 
lie many of his descendants, among whom are the remains of Dr. 
W. C. Maloy, who was one of the most substantial and liberal mem¬ 
bers of the church at Rhine. Two of the sons of James Williamson 
were Baptist ministers, James W. and John K., both of whom resided 
and labored in Telfair County. 

When Dr. Jessup became pastor at Easman there were only a 
score of members, and the church was very weak. In the years 1883, 
1886 and 1889, however, there were great revivals. Sixty-three mem¬ 
bers were added during 1883, fifty-four in 1886, and twenty-nine in 
1889. The highest figure reached by the membership during the pas- 


170 


History of Dodge County 


torate of Dr. Jessup was one hundred and sixty in 1889. Dr. A. J. 
Battle was pastor during a portion of 1888. This was the only break 
in Dr. Jessup’s pastorate, which lasted until Rev. J. A. Scarboro 
assumed the pastorate in 1891. There was a notable growth in mis¬ 
sion contributions during the eleven years of Dr. Jessup’s leader¬ 
ship. The largest figure reached was $200.00 per annum. 

On June 26, 1881, Albritton Edwards, deacon, and his wife from 
Piney Grove Church, Gates County, North Carolina, were received 
by letter. Other members came from this county later. On July 24, 
1881, J. J. Hamilton, former deacon of old Sugar Creek Church, was 
charged to sell two acres of land in lot number 11, 15th district of 
Dodge County, former site of Sugar Creek, the proceeds of which 
were to be used for the new church building. Proceeds were $25.00. 
On September 25, 1881, E. H. Bacon and wife, most faithful and 
useful members of Eastman Church, were received by letter from 
the Albany Church. Rev. J. H. DeVotie and Rev. Richard Woodward 
visited the church in those days and preached. The membership was 
growing rapidly, both by letter and experiences. 

The Sunday School was organized May 6, 1883, in the new build¬ 
ing (the first service held). Dr. E. H. Bacon was elected Superin¬ 
tendent; D. T. Daughtry, Assistant Superintendent; W. J. Darden, 
Secretary; M. H. Collins, Assistant Secretary; T. J. Buckner, Libra¬ 
rian; William Harrell, Assistant Librarian. Resolutions expressing 
the “grateful remembrance in which the Christian kindness and 
courtesy of the Methodists” were held because of their permission 
to use the Methodist building, were passed. An offer to return the 
favor when needed was made. On May 27, 1883, the first preaching 
service was held, and a number of members were received. J. T. Lee, 
from Central Point Church, Dodge County, was received. Dr. Jessup 
was appointed to confer with all the members of Sugar Creek and 
ask them into the organization. 

It is said that the first Sunday School in Eastman was organized 
about the year 1881 in the home of Gen. Ira Foster, with a class of 
two pupils taught by his daughter, Miss Almathea Foster. 

In the meeting of July 6, 1883, when so many were received and 
baptized, the records state that J. H. DeVotie and E. W. Warren were 
present and aided the pastor. Twenty-five members, more or less, 
were received in the meeting, among whom were Milton H. Edwards, 


Eastman Baptist Church 


171 


M. Leggett, Lovelace Harrell, H. J. Sapp, M. H. Collins and 
others. More Sugar Creek members also came afterward, and when 
they tried to close the meeting the people demanded its continuance. 

The Acorn Society gave the funds on hand to plaster the church 
and plans were made to heat and light the building. Rev. J. T. Lee 
was dismissed by letter June 22, 1884. The New Ebenezer Associa¬ 
tion met at Parkerson’s Church in October, 1884, and the Eastman 
Church contributed through the Association to State missions. Thus 
began the missionary contributions, which grew annually and were 
donated to all types of missions thenceforward. 

At the request of the East Macon Church, Rev. Charles Dilworth 
was ordained by the Eastman Church in 1886. The next year certain 
members joined the Campbellites and were excommunicated. J. A. 
Buchannan was recognized as a deacon May 6, 1888. 

In 1889 Rev. P. A. Jessup was called for full time. The church 
asked the State Board to assist in mission work along the G. S. & F. 
Railroad. 

Just after the meeting of the New Ebenezer Association held in 
Cochran in 1890, Rev. J. A. Scarboro was called to the pastorate. 
Rev. M. H. Harris was ordained to the ministry May 3, 1891 by the 
Eastman Church, and in the same year, 1891, E. H. Bacon and 
M. H. Edwards were elected deacons. M. H. Edwards was a faithful 
and godly deacon for twenty-seven years and served as clerk for 
nine years. October 4, 1891, he was ordained along with E. H. 
Bacon. Much of the progress and growth of the church is attributed 
to his fidelity in service, and many friends rise to attest his probity, 
honor, rectitude, sobriety and consecration. He was an excellent 
business man, and a liberal supporter of the Lord’s work. T. H. 
Edwards was elected Treasurer and J. M. Bohannon, Clerk, January 
3, 1892. J. C. Carr was called to ordination, which event took place 
October 30, 1892. The presbytery was composed of J. A. Scarboro, 
P. A. Jessup, E. W. Evans, and M. H. Harris. They ordained him 
“Bishop,” states the record. Mrs. M. H. Edwards of the missionary 
society made her annual and quarterly reports, which frequently 
reached nearly $200.00. 

Rev. Scarboro succeeded Dr. Jessup when the latter was called to 
Cochran. The work of Dr. Jessup at this latter city was phenome¬ 
nally successful. He succeeded in uniting the rended body of Christ, 


172 


History of Dodge County 


and a great revival ensued, in which seventy-six members were added 
in one year, the year 1891. Mission gifts increased, a commodious 
pastorium was erected and the membership grew to two hundred 
and twenty-nine members. 

Rev. J. A. Scarboro accepted a call from the church in October, 
1890. Just before his arrival a festival was given for the purpose 
of raising money to carpet the church. The Eastman Times stated 
that it was a success in every particular. In March, 1891, an oyster 
and ice cream supper was given, netting $45.00, funds to be used in 
papering the church. The Eastman Church gave the State a notable 
woman in the person of Mrs. W. W. Ashburn. The W. M. S. under 
the leadership of Mrs. Ashburn and Mrs. Carr gave liberally to the 
church expenses and missions while Mr. Scarboro was pastor. 

In the beginning of 1892 the church was again without a pastor, 
but after a short interim Rev. H. H. Harris became pastor, and 
served during 1892 and 1893. He was succeeded by Rev. J. C. Brew- 
ton in a six-year pastorate. The pastorate of Dr. Brewton was 
marked by gradual growth in membership and considerable growth 
in mission liberality. The most pronounced growth, however, took 
place during the pastorate of his successor, Rev. M. H. Massey. 
Fifty-nine members were added during the second year of his pas¬ 
torate. He began reaping the seed which had been so faithfully 
sowed and cultivated by his godly predecessors in the ministry. 

The New Ebenezer Association met at Bethel in Dodge County in 
1895, at Bethlehem in Dodge County, on October 4, 1896, at McRae, 
October 13, 1897, and at Snow Hill in Laurens County, October 13, 
1898. The Eastman Church was one of the best churches in the 
organization. 

Rev. R. S. Johnson was called to ordination May 6, 1894, by the 
Pine Hill Church, and thus was added another to the servants of 
God, which this great church has sent forth to preach everlasting 
tidings of grace. February 13, 1898, J. D. Page and T. J. Key were 
elected deacons, and only a few months afterwards, on July 24, 1898, 
the Reidsville Church having requested the ordination of Rev. J. A. 
Harris to the ministry, he was duly ordained by the following pres¬ 
byters: Revs. R. E. L. Harris, W. J. Barton, J. C. Brewton and 
M. L. Burch. E. J. Barton delivered the charge and the record says 
he did it well. 


Eastman Baptist Church 


173 


Dr. E. H. Bacon continued in office from 1884 to 1906, when he 
was succeeded by M. H. Edwards. M. L. Burch was clerk of the 
church from 1878 to 1884, when he was succeeded by M. H. Ed¬ 
wards, who served to January, 1892. J. M. Bohannon was his suc¬ 
cessor. 

During the pastorate of Rev. J. C. Brewton, the church property 
was rated in value at $5,500.00. The church raised annually about 
$1,000.00 for all purposes and the Sunday School about $65.00. 
The ordained ministers in a body, in 1894, were John C. Carr, R. S. 
Johnson, and T. W. Dean. The deacons of the church were M. L. 
Burch, E. H. Bacon, M. H. Edwards, and J. L. Estes. Amoskeag 
Sunday School was under the direction of the church with about 
fifty pupils. The church membership numbered 137, and the Sunday 
School had enrolled about 100 pupils. By 1895 the number of mem¬ 
bers had increased to 180. There was a falling off in membership 
for two or three years, but under the pastorate of Rev. M. H. Massey, 
in 1902, the membership reached 199. 

Rev. Mr. Massey and wife experienced great sorrow at Eastman 
in the loss of two of their children. Brother Massey laid firm foun¬ 
dations for future growth. In March, 1906, Brother Massey was 
called to Statesboro. He had made Eastman a good pastor and an 
able preacher of the word. 

Rev. Walter M. Gilmore, for nearly ten years pastor at Brunswick, 
became pastor in 1906. Seventy members were added during the 
first year of his pastorate. Contributions for missions exceeded 
those for current expenses. Many improvements were going on in 
Eastman, and a score of residences were being erected. Prof. W. A. 
Mulloy of the public schools was a strong worker in the church. 
The pastor was aided in a meeting by Rev. W. H. Sledge of the 
Home Board in the summer of 1907, in which there were thirty-four 
additions. Meetings were held in stores and other business places 
down town. The entire city was moved. The New Ebenezer Associa¬ 
tion met with the church in the fall of 1907 for the first time in 
twenty years. 

At the close of the third year of the pastorate of Brother Gilmore 
there had been 163 members added to the church, about half of 
whom had come in by baptism. The church had given eight times 
more for missions than it had given four years previous. The work 


174 


History of Dodge County 


of Brother Gilmore is still spoken of in terms of praise by those 
who are acquainted with added membership of the church. 

Rev. S. J. Parrish served the church as pastor very acceptably. 
His evangelistic gifts made his ministerial labors popular, and num¬ 
bers were added to the church. 

Rev. Alec Bealer next accepted care of the church. The Sunday 
School attendance was improved and a number of baptisms from 
the Sunday School were reported. The W. M. S. also made marked 
progress. The benevolent gifts of the church increased under the 
ministry of Rev. Bealer. His strong sermons were appreciated by 
the membership and the congregations were good. 

He endeavored to lead the church in the erection of a new build¬ 
ing, but the war prevented the success of the enterprise. Dr. Bealer 
was succeeded by Rev. J. S. Hartsfield, who was very popular among 
all classes in Eastman. He adapted himself to all classes and made 
many friends. His efforts to build a new edifice met with success, 
$7,500.00 being pledged at the first offering. The new church was 
completed under his pastorate at a cost of $21,000.00. It was a 
source of pride to the citizens of Eastman and Dodge County. The 
building committee consisted of W. N. Leitch, A. P. Petway, W. L. 
Jessup, C. C. Clark, and S. C. Smiley. The pastor expended a great 
deal of his time overseeing the work. W. L. Jessup presented the 
church with a valuable pipe organ. 

Several attempts were made to organize a Sunday School conven¬ 
tion, and the efforts finally succeeded in 1833. The Eastman Church 
was a pioneer advocate of the Sunday School in the New Ebenezer. 
It was also a liberal giver to the New Ebenezer College at Cochran. 
The church also assisted in a substantial manner in paying for the 
first house of worship at Lumber City, Chauncey and other places. 
The women of the church aided in supporting the missionaries of 
the Association, T. B. Windham, W. L. Geiger, W. J. Baker, D. 
Seigler, W. M. Miles, J. D. Rabun, W. M. Williamson and others. 
The Eastman Church has developed in the midst of a very uncon¬ 
genial atmosphere. There was much antagonism to missions and 
education in the early years of the church. Apathy, indifference, 
ignorance, stagnation, and anti-missionism prevailed in the sur¬ 
rounding territory for many years. Gambling, dram drinking, super¬ 
stition, illiteracy, and non-progressiveness were the devils which 


Eastman Baptist Church 


175 



had to be cast out before the spirit of the Lord could come in. There 
were almost as many devils in the wiregrass as there were gophers. 

In 1919 Brother Hartsfield left the church to accept another call, 
and was succeeded by Rev. H. D. Johnson, who made many friends 
during his sojourn here. He was an eloquent speaker and the 
church prospered under his leadership. He was followed by Rev. 
W. A. Duncan, who was also a good preacher and pastor. After 
the departure of Brother Duncan the Rev. H. L. Driscoll accepted 
the pastorate, and under his leadership many additions were added 
to the church. During his pastorate the magnificent church building 
was burned. Brother Driscoll and the members began at once plans 
for building another church, and in a few months another magnifi¬ 
cent building was erected. Mr. Driscoll accepted a call to a church 
in Louisiana, and Rev. W. B. Feagin was called to the pastorate. 
After staying here one year he accepted a call to the Baxley church, 
and Rev. J. S. Hartsfield returned to the pastorate that he had left 
eleven years previously. The congregation and the town at large 
were delighted in having this godly man and his consecrated wife 
among them again. The church continues to grow, many new mem¬ 
bers having been added during the past year. 


THE EASTMAN BAPTIST CHURCH. 









176 


History of Dodge County 


THE EASTMAN CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 

In 1885 Mrs. Miller, mother of Messrs. Tom and Len Miller, former 
residents of this city, wrote and asked the Rev. Mr. Billingsly, of 
Griffin, to come down and preach for the few Christians here. He 
came and arrangements were made to hold the services in the Meth¬ 
odist Church. Large and attentive audiences, composed of Method¬ 
ists, Baptists, Presbyterians, and the few scattered Christians, were 
had at each service. The Whiddon family, the Deffinalls, the Millers, 
the Murrells, and Mrs. J. F. Powell were the first ones to confess 
faith and join the Christian Church. Mr. Billingsly was young and 
impulsive and got impatient that not more were being converted. 
In one of his sermons he preached against infant baptism, which 
offended the Methodists. Old Brother Skelton, one of the Stewards 
of the Methodist Church, arose and stated that the church was closed 
to any more of the services, whereupon Dr. P. A. Jessup of the Bap¬ 
tist Church arose and extended them an invitation to continue their 
services in the Baptist Church. The offer was accepted, and next day 
services began in the Baptist Church, Mr. J. M. Arthur and another 
family uniting that day. In another day or two Mr. H. J. Sapp and 
family joined; revival was fast getting under way when the preacher 
preached against close communion. This offended the Baptists, so it 
was again time to move. A Mr. Williams, who had gotten interested 
in the revival, invited them to Orphans Church, about three miles 
from Eastman, which was then a Baptist Church. This offer was ac¬ 
cepted, and so successful was the meeting that the church came into 
the Christian faith, and those that remained true to the Baptist faith 
drew out and built Zebulon Baptist Church. 

In 1887 the present building was begun with a few working, some 
giving kegs of nails, and others giving lumber. Mr. Colcord gave 
some lumber, and with other help the building was completed. Rev. 
Tom Harris was the first pastor of the new church, and later his son, 
Tom, became the pastor. 

The following were members of the church when it was built: 

Mr. and Mrs. H. J. Sapp, Mr. and Mrs. C. B. Murrell, Mr. and Mrs. Whid¬ 
don, J. M. Arthur, Dr. J. M. Buchan, Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Deffinall, Dr. and 
Mrs. Jeff Buchan, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Miller, Mr. and Mrs. Luther Hall and 
family. 


Eastman Methodist Church 


177 


The present members are: 

Mrs. A. G. Williamson, Mr. W. J. Deffinall, Mrs. Alice Buchan, Hubert 
Buchan, Mr. and Mrs. M. H. Cannon, Mr. and Mrs. C. D. Phillips, Mr. and 
Mrs. M. P. Cooper, Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Cooper, Mrs. J. S. Cooper, Herbert 
Cooper, Ernest Cooper, Annette Phillips, Pearl Buchan, Ruth Coleman, Sara 
Lou Coleman, Dorothy Coleman, Mrs. Henry Burch, Mildred Burch, Mrs. Emo- 
gene Manley, Mrs. Menzo Thompson, Mrs. Jim Harrell, Mrs. A. J. Wrye, Virgie 
Wrye, A. J. Wrye, Jr., Jeanet Wade, Mrs. M. A. Waldron, Mrs. Joe Rowland, 
Mrs. R. L. Revels, Mrs. Jessie Fuqua, Mrs. C. Coffee, Miss Mary Ida Sapp, 
Mrs. Everette Pickette. 

The pastors who have served this church are: 

Mr. Jackson, Mr. Davis, Dr. Brince, Mr. Oliver, Mr. E. L. Shelnutt, Mr. 
Bragg Mr. Mays, Mr. J. H. Wood, Mr. Blalock, Mr. C. K. Marshall, Mr. W r al- 
lons, Mr. S. P. Speigle, Mr. P. H. Mears, Mr. Shaw, Mr. Edmondson, Mr. 
Mason, Mr. Curtis, Mr. Perdue at three different times, Mr. Autry, Mr. Snow, 
Mr. Creedle, Mr. Sweatman, Mr. Crocker, Mr. Sipple, and Mr. F. L. Adams, 
who has served three different times, and who is the present pastor. 

THE EASTMAN METHODIST CHURCH. 

The Eastman Methodist Church was organized sometime in 1871 
by the Rev. H. C. Fentress, who died in 1916 and is buried at McRae. 
Mr. Fentress was then pastor of the Cochran Mission, one appoint¬ 
ment of which was in Telfair County. On his way between the two 
towns, Mr. Fentress would stop over at Eastman and hold a preach¬ 
ing service. Thus he gathered a nucleus for a church which during 
the year he organized. This was done in the “Sugar Creek Meeting 
House,” which belonged to the Baptists and was located near the 
present negro cemetery, on the Cochran Road, in front of and across 
the railroad from the cotton mill. By courtesy of the Baptist Church, 
the Methodists continued to use the log meeting house until the court 
house was finished and they moved into that temporarily. Afterwards 
the courtesy was exchanged, for the Baptist congregation used the 
new Methodist Church in Eastman a few years ago when their old 
church was torn down and a new one was in process of erection. 

Rev. E. M. Whiting, in an article in the Wesleyan Christian Advo¬ 
cate, published in 1878, on the Eastman Mission, reported four 
churches and one hundred and four members connected with the 
work. He also said, “At Eastman there are forty-four members. The 
people are liberal and well-disposed towards Methodism. A church 
house at Eastman will soon be erected.” The building was probably 


178 


History of Dodge County 


erected that year. Mr. Eastman gave the land for the church and 
the house then erected was used until 1910, when the present mag¬ 
nificent structure was erected and occupied. 

The following is a list of pastors of the church and of the pre¬ 
siding elders in charge of the District: 


1874—D. G. Pope . . . 

. Pastor 

1875—W. M. C. Conley . 

. Pastor 

1876—J. E. Rorie . . . . 

Pastor 

1877—J. E. Rorie . . . 

. Pastor 

1878—E. M. Whiting . . 

. Pastor 

1879—J. R. McClesky . 

. Pastor 

1880—R. M. Lockwood 

. Pastor 

1881—E. M. Whiting . . 

. Pastor 

1882—G. C. Thompson . 

. Pastor 

1883—J. R. Crowder . . 

. Pastor 

1884—H. C. Brewton . . , 

. Pastor 

1885—H. C. Brewton . . 

. Pastor 

1886—J. J. Ansley . . . . 

Pastor 

1887—T. M. Christian . . . 

Pastor 

1888—T. M. Christian . . . 

. Pastor 

1889—E. J. Burch . . . . 

. Pastor 

1890—E. J. Burch . . . . 

. Pastor 

1891—G. C. Clark . . . . 

Pastor 

1892—B. S. Sentell . . . . 

Pastor 

1893—B. S. Sentell . . . . 

Pastor 

1894—E. A. Sanders . . . 

Pastor 

1895—R. L. Wiggins . . , 

Pastor 

1896—R. L. Wiggins . . , 

Pastor 

1897—W. J. Robertson . . 

Pastor 

1898—W. J. Robertson . . . 

Pastor 


J. 

V. M. Morris . 

. Presiding Elder 

J. 

V. M. Morris . 

. Presiding Elder 

J. 

E. Sentell . . 

. Presiding Elder 

J. 

E. Sentell . . 

. Presiding Elder 

T. 

B. Lanier ... 

. Presiding Elder 

J. 

D. Anthony . . 

. Presiding Elder 

J. 

D. Anthony . . 

. Presiding Elder 

J. 

D. Anthony . . 

Presiding Elder 

J. 

D. Anthony . 

Presiding Elder 

R. 

B. Lester . . 

. Presiding Elder 

R. 

B. Lester . . 

. Presiding Elder 

J. D. Anthony . . . 

Presiding Elder 

J. 

D. Anthony . . 

Presiding Elder 

J. 

D. Anthony . . . 

Presiding Elder 

J. 

D. Anthony . . 

Presiding Elder 

E. 

H. McGehee . , 

Presiding Elder 

W 

. C. Lovett . . 

. Presiding Elder 

J. 

D. Anthony . . . 

Presiding Elder 

J. 

D. Anthony . . . 

Presiding Elder 

J. 

D. Anthony . . . 

Presiding Elder 

J. 

D. Anthony . . . 

Presiding Elder 

E. 

H. McGehee . . 

Presiding Elder 

E. 

H. McGehee . . 

Presiding Elder 

E. 

H. McGehee . . 

Presiding Elder 

E. 

H. McGehee . . 

Presiding Elder 


Mr. Robertson died during August of this year and was succeeded 
by Rev. E. E. Clements, who served this charge until the following 
Conference in December. 


1899—James T. Ryder . . . Pastor H. Stubbs .... Presiding Elder 

Mr. Stubbs died in August of this year and was succeeded by 
Rev. M. A. Morgan who served in his place until the following Con¬ 
ference in December. 

1900 J. T. Ryder .... Pastor M. A. Morgan . . . Presiding Elder 

1901 J. T. Ryder . . . Pastor M. A. Morgan . . . Presiding Elder 

1902 J. T. Ryder .... Pastor M. A. Morgan . . . Presiding Elder 

1903— J. J. Ansley .... Pastor E. H. McGehee . . Presiding Elder 

1904— J. J. Ansley .... Pastor E. H. McGehee . . Presiding Elder 

1905— J. J. Ansley .... Pastor J. B. McGehee . . . Presiding Elder 










Eastman Methodist Church 


179 


1906— B. S. Sentell . . 

1907— B. S. Sentell . . . 

1908— Walter Anthony 

1909— Walter Anthony 

1910— J. C. Flanders . . 


Pastor J. B. McGehee 
Pastor E. F. Morgan 
Pastor E. F. Morgan 
Pastor E. F. Morgan 
Pastor C. R. Jenkins 


Presiding Elder 
Presiding Elder 
Presiding Elder 
Presiding Elder 
Presiding Elder 



THE EASTMAN METHODIST CHURCH. 


C. R. Jenkins was appointed President of Wesleyan College, and 


Rev. L. A. Hill served 
in November. 

1911— J. C. Flanders . . 

1912— K. Reid .... 

1913 — W. E. Arnold . . 

1914 — W. E. Towson . . 

1915 — W. E. Towson . . 

1916 — W. E. Towson . . 

1917 — W. E. Towson . . 

1918— W. M. Blitch . . 

1919 — W. M. Blitch . . 

1920— W. M. Blitch . . . 

1921— J. H. Mather . . 

1922 — .. .. Wardlaw . . 

1923— G. H. Acree . . . 

1924— G. H. Acree . . . 

1925— G. H. Acree . . . 


out the balance of the 


. Pastor 

L. A. Hill 

. Pastor 

L. A. Hill 

. Pastor 

L. A. Hill 

. Pastor 

L. A. Hill 

. Pastor 

L. A. Hill 

. Pastor 

W. F. Smith 

. Pastor 

L. W. Colson 

. Pastor 

L. W. Colson 

. Pastor 

L. W. Colson 

. Pastor 

L. W. Colson 

. Pastor 

. 

. Pastor 

. 

. Pastor 

. 

. Pastor 

. 

. Pastor 

. 


year till Conference 

. . . Presiding Elder 

. . . Presiding Elder 

. . . Presiding Elder 

. . . Presiding Elder 

. . . Presiding Elder 

. . . Presiding Elder 

. . . Presiding Elder 

. . . Presiding Elder 

. . . Presiding Elder 

. . . Presiding Elder 

. . . Presiding Elder 

. . . Presiding Elder 

. . . Presiding Elder 

. . . Presiding Elder 

. . . Presiding Elder 






















180 


History of Dodge County 


1926—Robert Kerr . 

. . . Pastor 

.. .. Wainright . , 

Presiding Elder 

1927—Robert Kerr . 

. . . Pastor 

W. H. Budd . . 

. Presiding Elder 

1928—W. H. Wright 

. . . Pastor 

J. G. C. Brooks . 

. Presiding Elder 

1929—J. Lytle Jones 

. . . Pastor 

J. G. C. Brooks . 

. Presiding Elder 

1930—J. H. Allen . 

. . . Pastor 

J. G. C. Brooks . 

. Presiding Elder 

1931—J. H. Allen . 

. . . Pastor 

J. G. C. Brooks . 

. Presiding Elder 

1932—C. A. Jackson 

. . . Pastor 

J. N. Peacock . . 

. Presiding Elder 


EASTMAN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 

In response to a petition of certain members of the Presbyterian 
Church residing in the town of Eastman, the Presbytery of Macon, 
in session at Columbus, Ga., appointed Rev. Wm. McKay a com¬ 
mittee to visit the field and if the way was clear organize the peti¬ 
tioners into a church to be known as The First Presbyterian Church 
of Eastman, Georgia. 

Thus empowered. Rev. Wm. McKay visited Eastman on Sunday, 
June 23, 1877, held service in the court house and organized the 
church with the following members: 

Mrs. Fannie P. Chandler, by letter from Statesville, N. C. 

Miss Lillie E. Chandler, by letter from Statesville, N. C. 

Mrs. Mary DeGroat, by letter from Methodist Episcopal Church in New 
York. 

Wm. Pitt Eastman, by letter from Presbyterian Church, U. S. A. 

Miss Carro C. Eastman, by letter from Presbyterian Church, U. S. A. 

Mrs. John Gardiner, by letter from First Presbyterian Church, Springfield, 
Ill. 

Mrs. Ursula Roberts, by letter from Flemington, Ga. 

Joseph W. Sheldon, by letter from Methodist Episcopal Church in New York. 

Mrs. Nancy Sheldon, by letter from Methodist Episcopal Church in New 
York. 

George W. Sheldon, by profession of faith. 

John D. Sheldon, by profession of faith. 

Mrs. Mary Russell, by letter from First Presbyterian Church in Macon, Ga. 

Messrs. W. P. Eastman and J. W. Sheldon were elected Ruling 
Elders, and, Mr. Sheldon declaring his acceptance of the office, was 
ordained and installed in the duties of the office. Mr. Eastman was 
not present and seems to have declined the office, as there is no 
record of his acceptance. 

The sacrament of the Lord’s Supper was then administered and 
at the close of the service a meeting of Session was held, Rev. W. 
McKay acting as Moderator, at which Ruling Elder Sheldon was 
elected Clerk of Session. 






Eastman Presbyterian Church 


181 



Rev. W. McKay became the Supply of the Church, a part of his 
salary being paid by the Home Mission Committee of Macon Pres¬ 
bytery. 

The church continued to use the court house as their place of 
worship till their house of worship was erected in 1892. 

The records are incomplete, and it is, therefore, hard to determine 
the time during which various ministers have served the congrega¬ 
tion, but as best as can be determined the following list seems to 
have been the ministers: 

Rev. Wm. McKay, 1877 to . 

Rev. J. B. Mack,_to. 

Rev. H. G. Griswold, 1896 to 1897. 

Rev. W. F. Strickland, 1898 to 1900. 

Rev. R. W. Alexander, 1901 to 1904. 

Rev. W. O. Stephens, 1906 to 1909. 

Rev. C. M. Chumbley, 1911 to 1918. 

Rev. E. E. Phillips, 1918. 

Rev. J. S. Davis was pastor for several years. 

The following have served the church as Elders: 

J. W. Sheldon, Judge D. M. Roberts, W. A. Burks, C. F. Coleman, W. C. 
Drummond, L. M. Woodward, Jr., and C F. Coleman. 

The following Deacons have served the church: 

J. B. Cameron, Dr. W. E. Miller, J. M. Edwards, H. M. O’Callaghan, T. T. 
Coleman, H. E. Dickens, Dr. J. C. Wall, H. M. Leggett, and J. Z. Hargrove. 


THE EASTMAN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 







182 


History of Dodge County 


The roll shows the following names in addition to those given in 
the organization: 

Mrs. Clara Sheldon, now Mrs. S. T. Lee; Leonard Bellingrath, Mrs. Catherine 
Bellingrath, Mr. Edwin C. Bellingrath, Miss Mary E. Bellingrath, W. B. Pen¬ 
dleton, Miss Gertrude Holsendorf, Frank Armstrong, Charles F. Garrett, Miss 
Callie Garrett, J. A. Williams, R. P. Williams, G. R. Williams, Mrs. May 
Curry, Lewis M. Curry, Mrs. Harriet A. Mugridge, Mrs. J. E. Gignilliat, Miss 
Catherine C. Orland, Mrs. Frank W. Armstrong, John Colville, Mrs. Mary 
Colville, J. B. Cameron, E. L. Stephens, Miss Irma Sheldon, Judge D. M. 

Roberts, Mrs. W. F. Strickland, Mrs.Thompson, Miss C. B. Latimer, W. 

A. Burks, Mrs. W. A. Burks, Mrs. F. R. Steadman, J. C. Gowver, Mrs. J. C. 
Gowver, Dr. W. E. Miller, Mrs. W. E. Miller, Miss Sarah Miller, J. H. Roberts, 
Mrs. J. H. Roberts, C. F. Coleman, Mrs. C. F. Coleman, H. M. O'Callaghan, 
Mrs. Mary Woolley, Mrs. J. Cox Wall, W. C. Drummond, Mrs. Mary B. Drum¬ 
mond, Miss Allee W. Drummond, Miss Cammie P. Drummond, J. M. Edwards, 
Mrs. Mattie M. Edwards, Miss Fannie Kate Persons, T. T. Coleman, Miss 
Mona Coleman, Miss Emily Dell Persons, L. M. Woodward, Mrs. L. M. Wood¬ 
ward, J. Z. Hargrove, Mrs. J. Z. Hargrove, Mrs. H. M. O’Callaghan, Dan 0 Cal¬ 
laghan, Lennon Woodward, Mrs. T. T. Coleman, Thornton Coleman, Beverly 
Coleman, Dr. J. C. Wall, Mary Wall, Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Wall, Jr.; J. Z. 
Hargrove, Jr.; Ellis Hargrove, Mrs. E. Jiles, Ethel Edwards, Mr. and Mrs. H. 
M. Leggett, Mrs. B. Bradford, Mr. and Mrs. I. N. Norris, E. T. Methvin, Mrs. 
Helen Methvin Ursery, R. J. Cater, Jack Roberts, Bessie Ball Roberts. 

PARKERSON BAPTIST CHURCH. 

Parkerson Baptist Church, one of the oldest churches in Dodge 
County, was organized on June 13, 1831, by Jordan Baker, John 
Marshall, and Absolom Paine, in what was then Pulaski County. 
The first pastor was Rev. Bud Lee. 

This historic old church is situated about seven miles southeast 
of Eastman, and is within one-half mile of Parkerson’s Bridge 
which spans Gum Swamp Creek. The first church, built one hundred 
years ago, was a log house, but this old log meeting house was 
replaced several years ago with a modern frame structure which 
compares favorably with any of the country churches in the county. 
It has been an active church ever since its organization, and stands 
today as a monument to the pious men who organized it. 

Among the membership of the church we find the names of many 
of our most prominent early settlers, also many of their descendants. 
The membership at present is composed of some of our sturdiest 
citizens. 



Parkerson Baptist Church 


183 


This church, founded during slavery time, like most churches of 
the “Old South,” included among its membership the negro slaves 
who wished to worship with their masters, therefore mingled with 
the names of the first members of this church may be found the 
names of some negroes. 

It was within a half mile of this church, on the banks of Gum 
Swamp, that Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederacy, camped 
on the night of April 8, 1865, when he was trying to make his way 
into Alabama after the surrender at Appomattox. Two days later 
he was captured near Irwinville, Georgia, by a detachment of the 
Federal Army. 

The earliest available records of this church begin with July, 
1855, and on the first page the following is written, though it is so 
yellowed and crumbling with age that we may make some mistakes 
in the reading of it: 

“The Baptist Church of Christ at Parkerson Meeting House in Pulaski 
County, Georgia, was constituted the 13th day of June, 1831, by Brethren Jor¬ 
dan Baker. John Marshall and Absolom Paine, on the following principles: 

ARTICLES OF FAITH 

“1st. We believe in one only true God who is self-existent from all eternity, 
in whom is no variableness nor shadow of turning, and in the Godhead are 
three persons, the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost, which are the same in 
essence but distinct in office. 

“2nd. We believe in the fall of Adam and the imputation of his sin to his 
posterity and the utter inability of man to recover himself. 

“3rd. We believe in the gift of the Father to the Son of his people and 
that He undertook and did fulfill the law in their behalf, and that they in par¬ 
ticular are redeemed. 

“4th. We believe that all those that were given by the Father to the Son 
in covenant shall be effectually called unto the knowledge of the truth, and 
shall finally persevere in Grace unto the end. 

“5th. We believe in the resurrection of the dead, and that the happiness of 
the righteous and the punishment of the wicked will be eternal. 

“6th. We believe that baptism and the Lord’s Supper are institutions of 
Christ and are ordinances that ought to be kept up by His churches until His 
second coming. 

“7th. We believe baptism by immersion is the true apostolic mode and that 
true believers are the fit subjects and they that practice any other, change the 
ordinances of God to the tradition of men. 


184 


History of Dodge County 


CHURCH DECORUM: 

“1st. Conference shall be opened by praise or prayer. 

“2nd. It is the duty of every ma’e member to attend Conference, and if any 
brother fails to attend for the first and second time he shall render in his 
excuse for non-attendance; for the third time he shall be cited to the church 
to give satisfaction. 

“3rd. When sitting in conference no brother shall go out nor absent himself 
from his seat without leave from the Moderator. 

“4th. When any brother aims to speak to any matter in debate before the 
church he shall rise and address the Moderator. 

“5th. When a brother is standing and speaking to any matter in debate he 
shall not be interrupted unless he departs from the subject. 

“6th. If any brother or sister shall fail to partake of the Lord’s supper 
when administered they shall name it at the next conference whether the fault 
was in themselves or others. 

“7th. If one brother shall interrupt another while standing and speaking 
he shall be immediately reproved by the Moderator. 

“8th. Any member dealing or trafficking in ardent spirits shall be con¬ 
sidered in disorder. 

“9th. Any member violating any of the rules of the church it shall be the 
duty of any member knowing the same to see the member violating and talk 
to him before bringing the matter before the church, and any member failing 
to comply with this item shall be considered in disorder. 

“10th. That this Decorum may be amended by the vote of two-thirds of 
the male members of the church. 

“11th. That these rules be read at the opening of every general conference 
that none may plead ignorance in the knowledge of the same.” 

On July 1, 1855, is found the following: 

“After sermon by Brother Wm. I. Baker, doors were opened for the recep¬ 
tion of members by experience. Came forward Nancy Hargrove, Nancy 
Dowdy and Thomas Cadwell and were received by experience of Grace and 
were baptized.” 

July 2, 1855. 

“After sermon by Brother Baker doors were opened for reception of mem¬ 
bers. Came Willis Harrell and was received by experience of Grace and was 
baptized.” 

July 3, 1855. 

“After sermon by Brother Lee, Brother Lee and Brother Baker ordained 
Brother Cadwell a deacon of the church. At the conclusion of these services 
doors were opened for reception of members. Came Sarah Right and John A. 
Harrell and were received by experience of Grace and were baptized.” 


Parkerson Baptist Church 


185 


August 11, 1855. 

“After sermon by Brother Baker doors were opened for reception of mem¬ 
bers by experience. Came Sister Rebeccah Wright and Sabra Cadwell, and 
were received; also came Abel T. Wright and was received by experience.” 

October 6, 1855. 

“A call was made for a minister to supply us for 1856. Called Brother 
William I. Baker. Brother Baker accepted.” 

In September, 1855, Mr. Matthew Clark united with this church. 

Mr. A. J. Hargrove was clerk during 1855 and until 1857 when 
Mr. John A. Harrell was elected to succeed him. Rev. William I. 
Baker served as pastor from 1855 until 1858 when he was succeeded 
by the Rev. Mr. Mills. 

The membership in 1855 consisted of the following: 

Cordial Parkerson, A. J. Hargrove, William Taylor, Martin Cadwell, Thomas 
Cadwell, Willis Harrell, John A. Harrell, Abel T. Wright, Matthew Clark, 
William Yawn, Charles Burch, Benjamin Clark, Matthew Walker, William R. 
Pitts, Jordan B. Pitts, Ben, a servant of H. Hendley, James Cadwell, James 
Watson, W. H. B. Weeks, Elizabeth Parkerson Mary Hendley Elener Hutto, 
Nancy Pitts, Katherine Hutto, Jane Harrell, Charloty Cadwell, Sophia Harrell, 
Maryan Hendley, Maryan I. Maddox, Roxeyan Wright, Elizabeth Cadwell, 
Nancy Hargrove, Nancy Dowdy, Sarah Right, Rebeccah Wright, Sabra Cad¬ 
well, Rebeccah Burch, Alis Hutto, Faisen Moles, Jane Wright, Delila Cadwell, 
Margaret Pitts, Manthy Young (or Yawn), Mary Wright, Liza Taylor, Maryan 
Harrell, Mary Boutwell, Kissey Brown, Sinthy Clark, Elizabeth Brown, Kisey 
Watson, Sarah Watson, Lusinda Harrell, Caroline Hamilton, Annie Evans, 
Catherine Watson, Ruthy Hall, Margaret May, Sophroney Corn (or Carnes or 
Carmichael), Coraline Livingston, Maryan Harrell. 

In 1859 Brother Windham became pastor, John A. Harrell con¬ 
tinuing as clerk. In 1860 Brother Windham continued as pastor, 
with Mr. Harrell as clerk. 

In 1861 William I. Baker and R. E. Mills served at intervals. 

During the War Between the States from 1861 until its close in 
1865 this remarkable church functioned right on, not missing a 
service. 

On June 7, 1862, Mr. A. J. Hargrove acted as moderator and 
Mr. S. C. Nicholson as clerk pro tern. 

August 21, 1863, Rev. James Thomas Hughes was called as pastor 
and accepted. Charles Burch acted as clerk. 

January, 1864, A. J. Hargrove acted as moderator as he had done 


186 


History of Dodge County 


on many occasions heretofore, and Charles Burch as clerk. Rev. 
J. T. Hughes continued as pastor. 

On the second Sunday in June, 1864, Mr. A. J. Hargrove was 
ordained to preach. He preached the sermon on June 10th. S. C. 
Nicholson was clerk. 

November 12, 1864, Rev. R. E. Mills preached, and A. J. Har¬ 
grove acted as clerk pro tern. 

January 8, 1865, the sermon was preached by Rev. R. E. Mills. 
February 12, 1865, Brother Mills preached, and Brother A. J. 
Hargrove acted as clerk pro tern. Brother Mills served as pastor 
until August, when on the second of that month Rev. A. J. Hargrove 
began preaching for the congregation, with J. A. Harrell as clerk. 
Richard Smith preached at the October, 1865, meeting. 

The following ministers and clerks served from 1866 until 1917: 

Feb. 1866, D. N. Fann minister with H. Clark as clerk. 

1867, 1868 and 1869 D. N. Fann served as minister and John A. Harrell as 
clerk. 

1870— B. C. Green was pastor, John A. Harrell clerk. 

1871— W. M. Baker was pastor, D. Sigler as clerk pro tern. 

1872— Wm. J. Baker pastor, William Yawn clerk pro tern. 

Dec. 16, 1872—Rev. John S. Thompson preached and Dempsey Sigler acted 
as moderator. 

Nov. 13, 1873—Tolbert Kinchen preached and J. A. Harrell was clerk. 

Dec. 20, 1873—D. Sigler acted as moderator and W. H. Wise clerk pro tem. 
Jan. and Feb., 1874—W. M. Miles acted as moderator and J. A. Harrell clerk. 

In 1873 the membership had increased and following are the 
names on roll: 

J. A. Harrell. James Cadwell, R. W. Cadwell, W. H. Wise, Levi Evans, Wade 
Wright, Andy Cadwell, Hamilton Clark, A. T. Weeks, John W. Hargrove, J. 
B. Weeks, Isaac Horne, B. B. Hamilton, William Norris, John W. Flanders, 
M. M. McCranie, R. F. Jackson, W. D. Harrell, James Register, James A. 
Burch, Henry Hutto, A. J. Skinner, J. S. Burch, J. W. White, M. McCranie, 
W. N. Hutto, C. T. Hutto, Geo. Martin, Robert C. Kirklin, Martin Taylor, 
Noah Smith, L. L. Hargrove, J. D. Harrell, M. C. Fulghum, M. S. Kirklin, G. 
M. Harrell, J. J. Harrell, Willis Harrell, D. T. Powell, J. F. Mills, W. T. Tay¬ 
lor, D. C. Williams, J. S. Stuckey, Gillis Wright, W. D. Hargrove, T. L. Kirk¬ 
lin, P. S. Hargrove, G. M. Brown, James Johns, J. M. Parkerson, Enoch Johns, 
Richard Wrye, Dalton Powell, A. B. Young, Hendley Hargrove, James Cad¬ 
well, Wright Sheffield, A. Y. Cadwell, Chap Boutwell, Wright Weeks. 

Sophia Harrell, Elizabeth Hutto, Nancy Hargrove, Caroline Hamilton, Har¬ 
riet Cadwell, Christian Yawn, Jane Brown, Elizabeth Hargrove, Millie Ann 


Parkerson Baptist Church 


187 


Burch, Elizabeth Harrell, Elizabeth Parkerson, Mary E. Cadwell, Nancy Par¬ 
kerson, Mary Smith, Victoria Weeks, I. P. Horne, R. C. Bailey, M. L. Wise, 
Laura Evers, Rebecca Cadwell, Jane Sheffield, Nancy Stone, Matilda J, Mar¬ 
tin, Feraby L. Harrell, Elizabeth Roberson, Alice Jackson, Amelia Harrell, 
Mary Sapp, Nettie White, Martha McGlohorn, Helen Skinner, Maryan Yawn, 
S. A. Harrell, Secreesy Fulghum, Caroline Yawn, Joe Ann Wishart, Nellie 
Evans, W. D, Weeks, M. M. Horne, D. L. Powell, P. A. Miller, Lois Smith, 
Sinthy Kirktin, S. E. Wrye, N. S. Burch, M. R. May, Mary C. Powell, S. M. 
Hargrove, Elizabeth Smith, Susan Flanders, Mahaley Kirklin, Lydia M. Har¬ 
grove, M. A. J. Moon, Nancy E. Wright, Charloty Coffee, Eliza Forres, Cath¬ 
erine Ashley, Diana Ashley, Feraby Johns, Nancy Graham, Roxie A. Weeks, 
Ida Stuckey, Sarah T. Wise, Anna L. Clayton, Fannie Brown, Mary A. Young, 
Sarah F. Kirkley, Catherine Sheffield, Lovda Young, Ella Boutwell, Mary Teal, 
Catherine Burch, Wylanta Cadwell, Anna Boutwell, Roza Harrell, D. L. Taylor, 
Nancy Miller, Mindy Boutwell, Elizabeth Pitts, Mollie Cadwell, Nannie Will¬ 
iams, S. E. Wrye, Dorcas Weeks, Annie Norris. 

1875— J. S. Thompson, pastor; J. A. Harrell, clerk. 

1876— J. S. Thompson, pastor; W. H. Wise, clerk. 

1877, 1878, and 1879—C. B. Smith was pastor and W. H. Wise was clerk. 
1880, 1881, and 1882—J. T. Kinchen was pastor and W. H. Wise was clerk. 

1883— W. W. Toler was pastor with W. H. Wise, clerk. 

1884— D. E. Green was pastor with W. H. Wise, clerk. 

1885— D. E. Green continued as pastor with W. H. Wise, clerk. 

From 1886 through 1891—J. T. Rogers served as pastor, and J. M. Parkerson 
was clerk. 

1892 and 1893—J. T. Rogers was pastor and T. H. Hargrove was clerk. 

1894—Jerry Kinchen was pastor with T. H. Hargrove as clerk. 

1895 and 1896—W. J. Baker was pastor and T. H. Hargrove was clerk. 

From 1896 to 1901—R. G. P. McKinnon was pastor and T. H. Hargrove, clerk. 
1902 and 1903—S. B. Cole served as pastor with T. H. Hargrove, clerk. 

1904— R. G. P. McKinnon again served as pastor with T. H. Hargrove, clerk. 

1905— T. E. Elgin served as pastor, and T. H. Hargrove continued as clerk. 
1906. 1907 and 1908—J. W. Jones was pastor, with T. H. Hargrove, clerk. 

1909— E. J. Thompson was pastor; T. H. Hargrove, clerk. 

1910— S. A. Sheffield, pastor; T. H. Hargrove, clerk. 

1911— E. J. Thompson, pastor; T. H. Hargrove, clerk. 

1912— S. A. Sheffield, pastor; T. H. Hargrove, clerk. 

1913— J. W. Roberts was pastor; T. H. Hargrove, clerk. 

1914 and 1915—S. A. Sheffield, pastor; T. H. Hargrove clerk. 

1916 and 1917—W. H. Pitts was pastor with C. K. Brown, clerk. 
1918-1919-1920-1921-1922—W. H. Pitts served as pastor with C. K. Brown, 

clerk. 

1923-1924-1925-1926-1927-1928—R. G. P. McKinnon was pastor with C. K. 
Brown, clerk. 

1929 until Oct. 1930—W. H. Pitts again served as pastor, C. K. Brown as clerk. 
L. B. Strickland, the present pastor, has served since Oct. 1930, and C. K. 
Brown continues as clerk. 


188 


History of Dodge County 


Truly our good deeds live after us. The three godly men who 
organized this church a century ago threw the lighted torch into 
willing hands, who in turn have handed it down to the present gen¬ 
eration for the glory of God and the salvation of man. Mr. A. J. 
Hargrove, who served this church as clerk at intervals from 185S 
until he was ordained to preach in June, 1864, left a heritage of 
which any family might well be proud. In 1892 his son, T. H. Har¬ 
grove, became clerk and served in this capacity for 21 years, and 
then, in 1918, this duty was taken over by Mr. C. K. Brown, a 
grandson of Mr. A. J. Hargrove. Mr. Brown has faithfully and 
efficiently held this office for the past sixteen years, and is now en¬ 
tering upon the seventeenth year. Thus it will be seen that this 
church has been served by three generations of one family. 

It is interesting to read the proceedings of the conferences held 
at this church in the bygone years. Their rules were strict and they 

rigidly enforced them. On one occasion we read that Brother. 

was expelled for “dancing at a frolic.” On other occasions brethren 
were expelled for partaking of “ardent spirits,” and using profanity. 

Sister.was expelled for “dancing, quitting her husband and 

telling falsehoods.” At almost every meeting some member was tried 
for non-attendance at Conference, and unless he gave a satisfactory 
excuse for same, he, too, was expelled. So we see that the members 
of old Parkerson Church had to walk the straight and narrow 
path, and perhaps that is why this church has prospered and flour¬ 
ished like the green bay tree. 

It is said that the first church, which was a log house, was built 
and presented to the congregation by Mr. Jacob Parkerson. Mr. 
Parkerson was a Revolutionary soldier and drew a pension from 
the United States Government for his services as a soldier. He was 
seventy years of age when he built the church, having been only 
sixteen years of age when he joined the Revolutionary Army. There 
have been three churches built where the first one was erected, two 
having been log houses and the last two frame buildings. Mr. 
Parkerson resided near the church, having settled on the place now 
known as the Wise Place. He was the great-grandfather of our 
present Tax Collector, I. N. Parkerson; also of W. L. Parkerson, 
for many years one of the Tax Assessors of the county, and Frank 
T. Parkerson, a prominent banker and farmer of Dodge County. 




Old Bethel Church 


189 


OLD BETHEL CHURCH. 

Old Bethel Church, located about twelve miles from Eastman on 
the road to Chester, is one of the oldest, if not the oldest church in 
the county. It was built when this section was Wilkinson County. It 
is on the banks of Gum Swamp Creek, which presents a picturesque 
setting for the little white church. 

This church is historical, in that a battle was fought here in 
1865. It was not a battle between the Federals and Confederates, 
however, but a battle between a portion of Wheeler’s Cavalry of the 
Confederate Army and a band of deserters from the Confederate 
Army. The deserters were men who, feeling that they were fighting 
a lost cause, and being tired of war, hungry and ragged, deserted 
the ranks and concealed themselves in Gum Swamp. The Company 
of Cavalry was rounding up deserters, and these men took refuge 
in the church. The Cavalry surrounded the church and shot into it, 
the deserters on the inside returning the fire. There were no casual¬ 
ties except one horse that was shot from beneath his rider. 

This church was used as a school house also in the earlier days, 
as were many of the country churches. The first school taught there 
was by James W. Rozar, an ancestor of the present County School 
Superintendent, W. C. Rozar. 

OLD DANIELS BAPTIST CHURCH. 

Old Daniels Church, another old landmark of the county, is 
located about ten miles from Eastman, and about two miles from 
Phelps Bluff on the Ocmulgee River. This was one of the first 
churches built, but as there are no records we are unable to learn 
in just what year this old church was founded. Some of the oldest 
residents claim it to be the oldest church in the county, however, we 
are unable to verify this fact. 

The land where this old church was built was owned by a Mr. 
Phelps, and the church grounds were purchased from him by Mr. 
Jackie Daniel. The church was built by Joshua Coffee. The first and 
original church was built down in the river swamp, perhaps a mile 
across the road from where this one now stands, but the grave of 
William Phelps in the church graveyard shows that the church has 
been on this spot for at least a hundred years. Among the earliest 


190 


History of Dodge County 


members of this church were Peter Bowen and family, Ike Bowen 
and family, Wright Harrell and family, the Studstill family, the 
Lowery family, the Law family, George Willcox and family, J. Y. 
Willcox and family, Norman Willcox and family, and Chas. Har¬ 
rell, the father of M. W. Harrell. 



A BAPTIZING AT DANIEL’S MILL POND NEAR THE 
OCMULGEE RIVER. 

VILULA MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH. 


The Vilula Missionary Baptist Church was constituted in 1874 
under the supervision of Rev. W. M. Miles, who was employed by 
the New Ebenezer Association. 

It was organized with the following who came from Hopewell 
Church: John McLeod, Allie McLeod, Dr. William Burch, Seaborn 
Burch, Philip Reaves, Josiah Reaves; and John McCranie from Par- 
kerson Church. 

The first church was a log house and was built by John H. 
Burch, Peter A. Bowen, and John Barron. There were only about 
twenty-five or thirty members at first and these were scattered over 
an area from the home of Mr. R. F. Burch, Sr., about six miles 








Vilula Missionary Baptist Church 


191 


from Eastman, to Spires Town in Telfair County and from the 
Southern Railroad to the Ocmulgee River, it being the only church 
within this radius. This church is situated about (?) miles from 
Eastman in the Vilula Militia District of the county. 

This church has prospered under the management of different 
pastors and has increased its membership from the twenty-five or 
thirty when it was organized to one hundred and ninety-four mem¬ 
bers at present. 

The first pastor was the Rev. W. M. Miles, who served through 
1874 and 1875. The following is the list of pastors and clerks who 


have served since its organization: 

1874— W. M. Miles .... Pastor Billie Hamilton.Clerk 

1875— W. M. Miles .... Pastor Billie Hamilton.Clerk 

1876— Philip Reaves . . . Pastor W. T. Howard.Clerk 

1877— Philip Reaves . . . Pastor W. T. Howard.Clerk 

1878— John Greene .... Pastor W. T. Howard.Clerk 

1879— Jerry Kinchen . . . Pastor J. W. Cadwell .Clerk 

1880— C. C. Horne .... Pastor J. W. Cadwell.Clerk 

1881— Philip Reaves . . . Pastor B. M. Burch.Clerk 

1882— Alph Reaves .... Pastor B. M. Burch.Clerk 

1883— Alph Reaves .... Pastor B. M. Burch.Clerk 

1884— Alph Reaves .... Pastor B. M. Burch.Clerk 

1885— Alph Reaves .... Pastor B. M. Burch.Clerk 

1886— W. H. Coleman . . . Pastor B. M. Burch.Clerk 

1887— W. H. Coleman . . . Pastor B. M. Burch.Clerk 

1888— Alph Reaves .... Pastor B. M. Burch.Clerk 

1889— Alph Reaves .... Pastor B. M. Burch.Clerk 

1890— Alph Reaves .... Pastor B. M. Burch.Clerk 

1891— Alph Reaves .... Pastor B. M. Burch.Clerk 

1892— Alph Reaves .... Pastor B. M. Burch.Clerk 

1893— Alph Reaves .... Pastor B. M. Burch.Clerk 

1894— Alph Reaves .... Pastor B. M. Burch.Clerk 

1895— B. A. Bacon .... Pastor B. M. Burch.Clerk 

1896— B. A. Bacon .... Pastor B. M. Burch.Clerk 

1897— B. A. Bacon .... Pastor B. M. Burch.Clerk 

1898— B. A. Bacon .... Pastor B. M. Burch.Clerk 

1899— J. W. Witherton . . . Pastor B. M. Burch.Clerk 

1900— S. A. Sheffield . . . Pastor B. M. Burch.Clerk 

1901— S. A. Sheffield . . . Pastor J. L. McCranie.Clerk 

1902— S. A. Sheffield . . . Pastor J. L. McCranie.Clerk 

1903— S. A. Sheffield . . . Pastor J. L. Sheffield .Clerk 

1904— E. F. Dye.Pastor J. L. Sheffield .Clerk 

1906— E. F. Dye.Pastor J. L. Sheffield .Clerk 

1907— W. M. Williamson . . Pastor J. L. Sheffield .Clerk 












History of Dodge County 


192 


1908— W. M. Williamson . . Pastor J. L. Sheffield .Clerk 

1909— W. M. Williamson . . Pastor J. L. Sheffield .Clerk 

1910— W. M. Williamson. . Pastor J. L. Sheffield .Clerk 

1911— W. M. Williamson . . Pastor J. L. Sheffield Clerk 

1912— C. E. Hight .... Pastor J. L. Sheffield .Clerk 

1913— C. E. Hight .... Pastor J. L. Sheffield .Clerk 

1914— C. E. Hight .... Pastor J. L. Sheffield .Clerk 

1915— C. E. Hight .... Pastor J. L. Sheffield .Clerk 

1916— C. E. Hight .... Pastor J. L. Sheffield .Clerk 

1917— F. A. Bone .... Pastor J. L. Sheffield .Clerk 

1918— W. M. Williamson . . Pastor J. L. Sheffield Clerk 

1919— W. M. Williamson . . Pastor J. L. Sheffield Clerk 

1920— W. M. Williamson . . Pastor J. L. Sheffield Clerk 

1921— W. M. Williamson . . Pastor J. L. Sheffield .Clerk 

1922— W. M. Williamson . . Pastor J. L. Sheffield Clerk 

1923— W. M. Williamson . . Pastor J. L. Sheffield Clerk 

1924— W. M. Williamson . . Pastor J. L. Sheffield .Clerk 

1925— J. B. Evans .... Pastor J. L. Sheffield .Clerk 

1926— J. B. Evans .... Pastor J. L. Sheffield .Clerk 

1927— J. B. Evans .... Pastor J. L. Sheffield .Clerk 

1928— J. B. Evans .... Pastor J. L. Sheffield .Clerk 

1929— G. W. Williamson . . Pastor J. L. Sheffield .Clerk 

1930— G. W. Williamson . . Pastor J. L. Sheffield Clerk 

1931— Jeff Williamson . . . Pastor J. L. Sheffield Clerk 

1932— Jeff Williamson . . . Pastor J. L. Sheffield Clerk 


The first deacons were: 

W. T. Womble, B. M. Burch, John Cadwell, W. W. Stapleton, Johnnie Me* 
Cranie, P. A. Reaves, W. T. Howard, W. G. Burch, G. W. McCranie, H. G. 
Sheffield. 

The first Sunday school was organized by Seaborn Burch in 
1875. Among the Superintendents who have served during the years 
since its organization are B. M. Burch, A. C. Ross, P. A. Reaves, 
and G. W. McCranie. Mr. Reaves served for fifteen years, and the 
others served for a great number of years each. 

OLD ALLSTON METHODIST CHURCH. 

Old Allston Methodist Church was built by old man Billy All- 
ston, a Methodist preacher, who gave it to the congregation. The 
church was built about two miles from Rhine at a siding now known 
as Copeland, and was one of the first churches built after the In¬ 
dians left this side of the Ocmulgee. A stairway led to an upper 
story of the church and this was used as a Masonic Lodge. This 










Old Allston Methodist Church 


193 


building was used until the Seaboard Airline Railway came through 
that section about 1887, when the town of Rhine sprang up and the 
church was moved there and is today the Rhine Methodist Church. 

Among the first members of old Allston were Gen. Mark Willcox 
and his family, Peter Coffee and family, John W. Coffee and family, 
Daniel Campbell and family, Bob Campbell and family, Joe Brown 
and family, Daniel McCranie and family, John Frazier and family, 
John Cravey and family, James Bishop and family, Mrs. A. W. 
Dean, Mrs. Y. Griffin, Miss Lizzie McCoy who became the mother 
of Moses W. Harrell. 

HOPEWELL BAPTIST CHURCH. 

Hopewell Baptist Church is another old landmark of the county. 
We are unable to ascertain in what year it was built, but it was one 
of the first churches in this section. Some claim that it is the oldest 
church in the county, but we have been unable to verify the claim 
as there seem to be no available records. 

The land upon which the church was built was given for the pur¬ 
pose by Gen. Mark Willcox, a member of Allston Methodist Church. 
Hopewell was situated about 2% miles south of Rhine on the old 
River Road that leads from Hartford to Jacksonville. The church 
was founded by Dr. William Burch who married Susan Willcox and 
Seaborn Burch who married Ann Willcox, daughters of Gen. Mark 
Willcox. Among the founders and first members were Phillip Reaves 
and his family, Josiah Reaves and family, John Reaves and family, 
Alfred Burnham and family, John McLeod and family, Allen 
McLeod and family, the Roundtree family and the Hendley family. 
The old log house has long since given way to a modern frame 
structure and is still one of the most progressive churches in the 
county. Many of the best citizens of the lower side of the county 
are members of this famous old church. It is located in a beautiful 
grove of ancient trees, moss covered, that stand as druids of old to 
mark the shrine of the old time aristocracy of this section. 

MT. AIRY FREEWILL BAPTIST CHURCH. 

Mt. Airy Freewill Baptist Church, which is located about twelve 
miles from Eastman, and four miles from Milan, was constituted in 
1885 by the Rev. Mr. Miles. The members assisting in the or- 


194 


History of Dodge County 


ganization were: Wilson Dean, Elbert Peacock, Sr., Morning 
Peacock, Susie Ann Peacock, C. C. Horne, John H. Burch, Mrs. 
Wilson Dean, Mrs. Nancy Horne, John R. Peacock and wife, M. M. 
McCranie, Mary McCranie, and Elizabeth Cadwell. 

The pastors serving this church from 1885 until 1899 were the 
Rev. Mr. Miles, Rev. Wilson Dean, Rev. C. C. Horne, and the Rev. 
Mr. Thompson. B. F. Horne was pastor from 1899 to 1917. Rev. 
Newt Powell served from 1917 to 1919. Rev. L. S. Yates served 
from 1920 to 1923. Rev. B. F. Horne again became pastor in 1924 
and has served from that date to the present, 1931. 

The members of this church are: 

I. H. McCranie, Wess Cadwell and wife. Jeanet Horne, W. L. Peacock and 
wife, Monroe Peacock and wife, Jim Peacock and wife, Elbert Peacock, Jr., 
and wife, J. H. Peacock and wife, Warren Peacock John Peacock, Lilia Pea¬ 
cock, B. I. Peacock and wife, Leila Peacock, Pearl Graham, Omie Cannon, 
Alice Turner, Cliff Peacock, Curtis Peacock, Willie Peacock Jr., Stevens Pea¬ 
cock, Allen Peacock, Jr., William Peacock the third, Bobbie Peacock Charlie 
Peacock. John Peacock, the third; Harold Peacock, Blanche Peacock, Margaret 
Peacock, W. M. Martin, Sallie Martin. John W. Martin. H. G. Martin George 
E. Martin, Bertha Martin, Mollie Darsey, Nonie Wrye Joe Wrye, John D. 
Wrve, Mollie Wrye, Franklin Carr, Mrs. Frank Carr, Ira Wrye, Mrs. Ira Wrye, 
John Ross Rogers, Mrs. John Ross Rogers. W. M. Sheppard, Lilia Sheppard, 
Furman Sheppard and wife, Ben Sheppard, Pearl Odum, John M. Howard and 
wife, Allen Howard, Charlie Howard, Jess Howard, Melcina Burch, J. J. Jones, 
Sadie Jones, J. H. Yawn and wife, Julius Draffin, Mrs. Julius Draffin, Dave 
Moore and wife, P. L. Moore and wife. W. H. Moore and wife Bart Moore 
and wife, Bertha Perry, Sallie Yancey, Charlton Horne and wife, Ben Horne 
and wife, Bob Jones and wife, J. O. Wiggins and wife, Mrs. J. W. Hendrix, 
DeLacey Cadwell and wife, Mrs. Besise Faulk, Will Tyner and wife. Mack 
Tyner and wife, L. S. Yates and wife and Charlie Harvey and wife. 

The first Sunday school was organized in November, 1895. W. B. 
Harrell was elected superintendent. W. L. Peacock was elected 
teacher of the senior class. Georgia McCranie was elected to teach 
the intermediate grade, and Margaret Phillips was elected to teach 
the primary grade. 

MOUNT HOREB PRIMITIVE BAPTIST CHURCH. 

Mount Horeb Primitive Baptist Church is perhaps one of the 
very oldest churches in the county. It was constituted on October 
15, 1809, by the following members: Simon Barden, Celia Barden, 
Isaac Burkhalter, William Burnham, Levi Bush, Nathan Bush. San- 


Mount Horeb Primitive Baptist Church 


195 


ders Colson, Elizabeth Roache, Martha Roebuck, Mary Barber, 
Nancy Bush, Sarah Mason, Richard Davis, Frederick Barber, James 
Smith. The first pastor was Elder Levi Bush. 

The first church was built above Cochran, where Evergreen Church 
now stands, and was then located in Pulaski County. After a period 
of several years another church was built on Jordan’s Creek, south¬ 
west of Cochran. After Empire was settled and the membership 
drifted in that direction, another church was built about a mile south 
of Empire on land that was donated to them for that purpose by 
Mr. A. T. Bowers. This church is located just across the railroad 
from the Eastman and Cochran highway. 

The following pastors have served this church since its organiza- 


tion in 

1809 to the present 

date: 



Elder 

Levi Bush 

from 

1809 

to 

1813. 

Elder 

Micajah Fulghum 

from 

1813 

to 

1821. 

Elder 

Eden Taylor 

from 

1821 

to 

1826. 

Elder 

John McKinsey 

from 

1826 

to 

1849. 

Elder 

L. B. Porter 

from 

1849 

to 

1851. 

Elder 

John Evers 

from 

1851 

to 

1852. 

Elder 

I. G. Davis 

from 

1852 

to 

1858. 

Elder 

John Evers 

from 

1858 

to 

1865. 

Elder 

John M. Field 

from 

1865 

to 

1867. 

Elder 

M. McCormick 

from 

1867 

to 

1869. 

Elder 

J. Churchwell 

from 

1869 

to 

1873. 

Elder 

A. Harris 

from 

1873 

to 

1883. 

Elder 

J. Nobles 

from 

1883 

to 

1884. 

Elder 

A. Harris 

from 

1884 

to 

1888. 

Elder 

G. W. Floyd 

from 

1888 

to 

1923. 

Elder 

John M. Giddens 

from 

1923 

to 

1927. 

Elder 

J. H. Chance 

from 

1927 

to 

1931. 


Following is a list of the oldest living members, together with the 
other members: 

J. E. Floyd, A. J. Fordham, J. D. Davis, G. M. Smith, Peter Hart, B. J. 
Knight, W. J. Davis, J. C. Davis, Henry Kirkpatrick, Monroe Lamb, L. 0. 
Berryhill, J. W. Hancock, James W. Floyd, Mesdames Allie Sanders, Susan 
Floyd, Mary Myers, Telitha Moore, Sallie Davis, Willie Davis, Pearl Kimberley, 
Emma Hodge, B. J. Knight, Jimmie Kirkpatrick, Mattie Davis, Lillian Davis, 
Monroe Lamb, Viola Berryhill, Millie Murrell, Annie J. Floyd, Juliette Floyd, 
Annie Floyd, Ruth Richardson, Alice Goodman, J. W. Floyd, Effie Hatfield, 
Sallie Coody. 


196 


History of Dodge County 


LYNWOOD BAPTIST CHURCH. 

The Lynwood Baptist Church is located in the western corner of 
the county, near the line of Pulaski County. It was established 
many years ago. The first deacons were S. B. Coody, R. 0. Lan¬ 
caster, M. A. Lancaster, Sr., Bob Hatfield and Reese Coody. 

Among the members of this church are R. A. Williamson and 
family, R. S. Anderson and family, the S. B. Coody family, Mrs. 
Gertrude Wright and family, Bob Hatfield and family, and Ruth 
Hatfield and family. 

FRIENDSHIP METHODIST CHURCH. 

Friendship Methodist Church is in Eddins District, about ten 
miles from Eastman. It was established February 6th, 1906. D. W. 
Sapp gave the land for the church building, and was one of its first 
stewards. D. C. Pierce and J. T. Dunn were among the first 
stewards. 

This church has about one hundred and fifty members, among 
whom are the family of D. C. Pierce, Mrs. T. 0. Sapp and family, 
N. B. McMullen and family, S. J. Fincher and family, Dock Coody 
and family, Henry Harrison and family, A. A. Hardy and family, 
and the family of B. W. Harrell. 

The following have served as pastors since 1908: W. H. Strozier, 
A. E. Brewton, T. I. Smith, J. Lytle Jones, A. B. Wall, Rev. Ket- 
chum, P. Holloway, W. C. Embry and W. H. Budd. 

SAND GROVE BAPTIST CHURCH. 

The Sand Grove Baptist Church is situated in the Conley settle¬ 
ment midway between Milan and Rhine near the Telfair County 
line. It was first operated as a branch of the Milan Baptist Church 
and the services were held under a brush arbor, Rev. A. Reaves 
serving as pastor until October 9, 1898, when the church was or¬ 
ganized under the name of Sand Grove Baptist Church. The fol¬ 
lowing were charter members of the church: J. W. Conley, Mrs. 
J. W. Conley, Mary Jane Conley, W. C. Carter, Cinda Conley, 
Fannie Carter, Nancy Carter, Nancy Conley, Sarah Jane Billings, 
M. D. Billings, Joan E. Conley, W. K. Conley and G. G. Conley. 
Rev. A. Reaves was elected as the first pastor and W. C. Carter was 
elected clerk. 


Sand Grove Baptist Church 


197 


They continued to hold services under the brush arbor until 1900, 
at which time a church building was erected. This building was 
used until March, 1919, when the present handsome church building 
was erected. The building committee were W. D. McCranie and 
H. J. Walker, and through their efforts, assisted by the pastor, Rev. 
0. A. Grant, the building was completed. It is a beautiful building 
and one which would be a credit to any county. 

The following pastors and clerks have served this church since its 


organization: 

1898— A. Reaves.Pastor W. C. Carter.Clerk 

1899— W. H. Dowdy . . . Pastor W. C. Carter.Clerk 

1900— W. H. Dowdy . . . Pastor W. C. Carter.Clerk 

1901— W. H. Dowdy . . . Pastor W. C. Carter.Clerk 

1902— W. H. Dowdy . . . Pastor W. C. Carter.Clerk 

1903— W. H. Dowdy . . . Pastor W. C. Carter.Clerk 

1904— W. H. Dowdy . . . Pastor W. C. Carter.Clerk 

1905— W. H. Dowdy . . . Pastor W. C. Carter.Clerk 

1906— S. A. Sheffield . . . Pastor W. C. Carter.Clerk 

1907— S. A. Sheffield . . . Pastor W. C. Carter.Clerk 

1908— S. A. Sheffield . . . Pastor W. D. McCranie.Clerk 

1909— J. M. Henderson . . Pastor W. D. McCranie.Clerk 

1910— J. M. Henderson . . Pastor W. D. McCranie.Clerk 

1911— W. H. Dowdy . . . Pastor W. D. McCranie.Clerk 

1912— W. H. Dowdy . . . Pastor W. D. McCranie.Clerk 

1913— W. H. Coleman . . . Pastor W. D. McCranie.Clerk 

1914— W. H. Coleman . . . Pastor W. D. McCranie.Clerk 

1915— O. A. Grant .... Pastor W. D. McCranie.Clerk 

1916— O. A. Grant .... Pastor W. D. McCranie.Clerk 

1917— 0. A. Grant .... Pastor W. D. McCranie.Clerk 

1918_O. A. Grant .... Pastor W. D. McCranie.Clerk 

1919— O. A. Grant .... Pastor W. D. McCranie.Clerk 

1920— O. A. Grant .... Pastor W. D. McCranie.Clerk 

1921— O. A. Grant .... Pastor W. D. McCranie.Clerk 

1922 _O. A. Grant .... Pastor W. D. McCranie.Clerk 

1923 _O. A. Grant .... Pastor W. D. McCranie.Clerk 

1924—0. A. Grant .... Pastor W. D. McCranie.Clerk 

1925 _O. A. Grant .... Pastor W. D. McCranie ..Clerk 

1926 _O. A. Grant .... Pastor W. D. McCranie.Clerk 

1927 _O. A. Grant .... Pastor Miss Ola Brown.Clerk 

1928 _O. A. Grant .... Pastor Miss Ola Brown.Clerk 

1929 _J. M. Crosby .... Pastor Miss Ola Brown.Clerk 

1930 _J. M. Crosby .... Pastor Miss Ola Brown.Clerk 

1931 _J. M. Crosby .... Pastor Miss Ola Brown.Clerk 

1932 _J. M. Crosby .... Pastor Miss Ola Brown.Clerk 


































198 


History of Dodge County 


The deacons of this church are: W. E. Walker, Eddie Walker, 
Lee Walker, W. H. McCranie, J. Lester Weaver, J. E. Conley and 
J. O. Waldrep. 

Mr. J. W. Conley served as superintendent of the Sunday school 
from the organization of the church in 1898 until his death in 1918, 
since which time J. L. Weaver has served as superintendent until 
the present, except four years, during which time Mr. J. 0. Waldrep 
served. 


SOME PIONEERS AND THEIR DESCENDANTS. 

The Bishop Family. 

rj^HE NAME of “Bishop” is from the ecclesiastical surname. This 
A name is of Saxon origin. Their motto is “Pro Deo et ecclesia,” 
which means “For God and the Church.” They have their Coats of 
Arms. 

This branch of the family came from England to this country, 
settling in the northern states. 

Simeon Bishop, being the son of these earliest settlers, was a 
native of New Jersey and was born in 1799 and died in 1836. He 
was married to Nancy Johnston Daniel, December 12, 1827, who was 
the daughter of John Daniel, a Revolutionary soldier, and whose wife 
was a Miss Rebecca Stevens. They originally came from South 
Carolina, buying thousands of acres of land up and down both sides 
of the Ocmulgee River. Nancy Daniel Bishop died in the year 1873. 
Both she and her husband, Simeon Bishop, and their son, John, are 
buried in the old and original family burial ground at the home 
which was later called Englewood. This plot of ground shows that 
it is to be “forever” set aside and kept sacred for this purpose. The 
father and mother of Nancy J. Daniel Bishop are also buried at 
this old graveyard. John Daniel, the Revolutionary soldier, has a 
marker placed by the Daughters of the American Revolution, with 
names, etc. Almost all of these old graves have markers or stones 
over them. These grounds are in the western part of the county, 
several miles from the Ocmulgee River. 

Simeon Bishop graduated with distinction from Yale College. He 
was a man of the highest culture, speaking fluently seven different 
languages. Being a man of fine business qualifications, he came 
South and amassed wealth. He at first settled at Hawkinsville, 
Georgia, at one time named Old Hartford, engaging in large lumber 
and mercantile interests, owning his own boats and shipping vast 
quantities of cotton for coastwise and world ports. He was also 
interested in the DoBoy lumber mills around Darien. There were 
born to them two sons. One, whose name was John, died in early 
youth. The second son, James, was born December 1, 1829, dying 
June 15, 1920. He married Mary E. Guyton December 1, 1853. She 
was the daughter of Major Moses Guyton, one of Laurens County’s 
old and most prominent citizens. She was the niece of Judge Peter 


200 


History of Dodge County 


E. Love, who was a member of Congress from the Second Congres¬ 
sional District of Georgia when the State seceded from the Union. 
General Eli Warren also was an uncle of hers. She also belonged 
to distinguished Revolutionary ancestry. Mrs. Bishop was a woman 
of rare culture and lovely nature, receiving private instruction from 
French tutors and governesses, also attending the Charlestown Fe¬ 
male Seminary and Art School as well as La Grange Female College, 
Georgia. She was a fine linguist, mastering and speaking five dif¬ 
ferent languages. That which will live always was her Christian 
character. She was a member of the first Methodist Church ever 
built in Eastman, organized the first Foreign Missionary Society of 
the same, also the first Home Missionary Society, meeting with a few 
women of great piety, sewing, visiting, caring for and praying in 
the needy homes. This society was called the Dorcas Society. This 
church, as well as all others, used the Dodge County court house 
for worship. Her heart’s desire was to see a Methodist church 
building erected. For years she gave music lessons to the more 
pretentious folk around, dedicating every dollar she received from 
this source for the erection of this church. 

After this church, the first at Eastman, became a reality, it was 
dedicated by the Bishop, George F. Pierce, whose father, the noted 
Dr. Lovick Pierce, years before had faithfully promised Mrs. Bishop 
to send down his son, the Bishop, to dedicate such a structure should 
it ever be built. This time was one of the greatest religious demon¬ 
strations Eastman has ever known. For years the church was also 
open to all Christian denominations. Even the Hebrew friends con¬ 
tributed to this building, which has a significant meaning for the 
feeling of Christianity prevailing among the first Dodge County 
settlers. 

Mrs. Bishop was born July 7, 1833, and died December 18, 1888, 
and is buried in the Bishop lot in Woodlawn Cemetery, Eastman, 
Georgia. 

The life of James Bishop was connected with the best develop¬ 
ments of Dodge County and his native State, Georgia. His birth¬ 
place was at the ancestral home, once Pulaski but now Dodge 
County. He descended from true Revolutionary stock. During the 
War Between the States he belonged to the State Troops, doing active 
and military duty in many places until the close. His political creed 


Some Pioneers and Their Descendants 


201 


in his early life was an Old Line Whig of the Clay and Webster type. 
After the war he became a Southern Democrat, never voting any 
other ticket as long as he lived. 

He belonged to the Masonic Order, believing in the brotherhood 
of man, being a charter member of the Eastman Lodge, and was a 
Royal Arch Mason, having been made a Master Mason in Mount 
Hope Lodge No. 9, F. and A. M., Hawkinsville, Georgia, in the 
twenty-second year of his age, and a few years after he became a 
member of Constantine Chapter, No. 3, Macon, Georgia. 

He was identified with practically every worth-while improvement 
along educational, literary, civic, and religious development. He 
was Judge of the County Court, County School Commissioner con¬ 
tinuously for twelve years, drew and wrote up the first charter and 
incorporate papers for the town of Eastman, and was the second 
mayor. He was the first president of the first real social and liter¬ 
ary society, which for a long time drew the attention and literati 
from distant places because of the highest class of literature and 
social caste enjoyed through its contact. He having inherited a 
competency, his mother was alert in giving him in early life the 
most learned instructors. Later he matriculated in some of the best 
schools. He chose the profession of law, reading under one of the 
great jurists of South Carolina. 

For years before Georgia had a school system, and when Eastman 
was only a village, he saw that she enjoyed teachers of the highest 
learning and mental development, giving each never less than $100 
of his own means in order to keep a school in the community up to 
the highest standard, and at the close of the term supplying the 
deficit for children whose parents were not able otherwise to send 
them. 

He was steward in the Methodist Church for years, always seeing 
that the church must keep her debt sheet clear. With the one ex¬ 
ception, he was the largest contributor to the building of the first 
church. He never sought publicity in any way. These facts are 
only written to let the present generation better understand why 
Dodge County and their State have so rapidly progressed in the last 
century. 

To James Bishop and his wife were born eight children, three 
sons and five daughters. The eldest son, Saxon, died in his twentieth 


202 


History of Dodge County 


year; the youngest son, Guyton, when only one year old. The 
second child and son, James Bishop, Jr., was born March 31, 1857, 
and died February 20, 1908. He was married to Miss Minnie 
Douglas, of Talbotton, Georgia, who is deceased. The first daughter 
and third child, Mary, is still living. She married G. F. Harrison, a 
native Georgian. For years they lived in Dodge County. He is 
buried in their family plot in Jacksonville, Florida, which later was 
their permanent home. The second daughter, Helen, and fourth 
child, lives in Eastman at the family home, which is historical, 
having been built for, and occupied by, the founder of Eastman, 
Hon. William Pitt Eastman. The third daughter, and fifth child, 
Emma Guyton, is deceased. The fourth daughter, Carolyn, married 
R. L. Bush, a native of North Carolina. 

The youngest daughter, Estelle, married Ellis Way Bullock, a 
native of North Carolina. 

James Bishop also has now living eleven grandchildren and eight 
great-grandchildren. 

James Bishop, Jr., the only one of his sons to reach maturity, 
matriculated at the State University of Georgia. Upon his gradua¬ 
tion he won honors and a speaker’s place. He was the first young 
man from Dodge County to graduate, Dodge being a rather new 
county. He read law under Attorney-General Clifford Anderson, 
and became a lawyer of marked ability. He won distinction in one 
of his first and most difficult cases, being appointed by the court to 
defend the never-forgotten negro rioters case. The result: the 
hanging of five from the same scaffold, one being a woman, a life 
sentence for nine, and a large number of acquittals. In all of his 
practice afterwards this was the hardest and most trying case. 

He was also appointed first City Court Judge, without his knowl¬ 
edge or solicitation. A strong co-incidence during his term was the 
fact that he was never reversed in his decisions by a higher court. 

He was also appointed by the State Bar Association delegate to 
the National Bar Association convened at Washington, D. C. 

He was leading and general counsel for the Southern Railroad as 
long as he lived, as well as being advisory counsel for the immense 
landed estate of the Dodges’ interests in many south Georgia coun¬ 
ties. All of these were given to him without solicitation on his part. 
His great reserve and timidity were outstanding in his nature. When 


Some Pioneers and Their Descendants 


203 


local option and the wets were holding on in the county and he was 
mayor of Eastman, his courage and convictions would mount above 
every obstacle, even going so far as to arrest the violaters himself 
when the odds were against him and the temerity of others weakened, 
as the antagonistic element became too strong. 

He was for a long time a member and steward in his church, the 
Methodist, but several years before his death became wholly conse¬ 
crated and dedicated to the church work; especially notable was his 
deep interest in, and development of, the laymen’s movement, which 
afterward became a part of the church work. 

The Bowen Family. 

Enoch Bowen was an early 
settler in Dodge County. He 
married Easter Davis, and they 
were the parents of: George, 

Jerry, Ike and Peter. 

George, son of Enoch, mar¬ 
ried Nancy Pope, and they were 
the parents of: E. P., I. W., 

Ike, Lee. 

Jerry, son of Enoch, married 
Margaret Maloy Studstill, and 
they were the parents of: 

Stephen D., who married Nan 
Humphreys; M. E., who mar¬ 
ried Leah McDaniel; Isabel, 
who married John W. Harrell; 

Susan Jane, who married John 
Rawlins; Maggie, who married 
Norman Willcox. 

I. N., son of Enoch, married 
Mary Jane Law, and they were 
the parents of: Willie J., who married Sallie Coffee; J. M., who 
married Ada Pace; S. L., who married a Miss Miller; Enoch, who 
married a Miss Ross; I. N.; L. H.; W. M.; Mary, who married J. P. 
Coffee; Lillie, who married, first, John Thompson, and second, J. Y. 
Willcox; Annie, who married A. C. Pace. 



JEREMIAH BOWEN, 
Father of S. D. Bowen. Pioneer 
settler of Dodge County. 





204 


History of Dodge County 


Peter, son of Enoch, married Beckie Ann Ryals, and they were 
the parents of: Babe, who married a Taylor; Laura; Annie; Dick; 
Ike; John; Pete; Mell. 

S. D., son of Jerry, married Nan Humphreys, and they were par¬ 
ents of: Susie Rebecca, who married Willie Frank Harrell; Wm. A., 
who died in childhood; Lydia Pearl, who married Luther M. Bach¬ 
elor; Georgia, who died at age of six; Margaret, who married 
Cheney A. Brantley; Mamie Patricia, who married J. H. Pickett; 
Stephen D., Jr.; Orlie Cornelia, who married Paul K. Pickering; 
Mattie Grace, who married Elbert Lawrence Johnson; Lois Kath¬ 
leen. 

The Brown Family. 

There were three different sets of Browns who were early settlers 
in this county. The subject of this sketch was Jordan Brown, who 
was reared in Bibb County in the Rutland district. He helped to 
build the Macon and Brunswick Railroad through this section and 
settled here. He was the first sheriff of Dodge County, and held 
this office from 1871 till 1877. He married Jane Hargrove, daughter 
of A. J. Hargrove and his wife, Nancy Hendley Hargrove. Their 
children were: Mollie, who married J. H. Bazemore, of Bibb 
County; Morgan J., who married Lizzie Forest; Fannie, who mar¬ 
ried J. T. Brown, of Columbus; Charles K., who married Rosa Day, 
daughter of H. J. Day. 

Three Brown brothers settled in this county, and are not related 
to the Browns of the Younker section. These three brothers were 
Lovard, Henry and Asa L. 

Lovard married a Miss Mullis, sister of Alfred Mullis. They were 
the parents of: Henry; a daughter who married J. D. Taylor; and 
a daughter who married Henry Peacock. 

Henry, the pioneer, married Kizzie Yawn, and they were the 
parents of: Jim; Reuben; Jess; Calvin; Love; Perry; Lucy, who 
married John Yancey. 

Asa L., the pioneer, married Katherine Watson, and they were the 
parents of: Bart; Love; Kizzie, who married Marshall Edwards; 
one daughter who married Bill Barclay. 

Reuben, son of Henry, the pioneer, married Charlotta Harrell, and 
their children were: Henry; Mollie, who married a Simmons; Bill; 


Some Pioneers and Their Descendants 


205 


John; Annie, who married Hiram Nixon; Lizzie; Ben; Reuben; 
Gertrude, who married H. E. McCranie. 

Jim, son of Henry, the pioneer, married Treecy English. Their 
children were: Will; Lizzie, who married John English; Jess; 
Lucy, who married Charlie Coleman. 

Jess, son of Henry, the pioneer, married Mary Ann Yancey. They 
were the parents of: Wade; Henry; John; Bill; Bartow; Jess; 
Sudie. 

Calvin, son of Henry, the pioneer, married Edith Ryals. Their 
children were: Henry; Sallie, who married W. D. McCranie, the 
present County Commissioner; Lucy, who married Harry Dukes; 
John M.; Lola, who married S. J. Walker; Willie Rosella, who mar¬ 
ried Willie Cravey. 

Love, son of Henry, the pioneer, married Susan English. They 
were the parents of: Charles. 

Perry, son of Henry, the pioneer, married Lizzie Moore. They 
were the parents of: W. J.; Lilia, who married George Evans; 
Henry; Lucy, who married Irvin Peacock; Ed; Maidee, who mar¬ 
ried Wilmer Rogers; Sidney; Hobson; Clara, who married Willie 
Hamilton; Ernest; Joe Brown; Essie, who married John Thomas; 
Max. 

The head of the Browns in the Younker section was Jesse Brown, 
who came to this section from Alabama. He was the son of Bob 
Brown. Jesse Brown married Elizabeth Jane Hall, daughter of 
James Hall, of Montgomery County, Georgia. Their children were: 
J. H.; H. C.; W. R.; G. M.; S. M.; C. N.; and Rachel, who married 
D. B. Horsford. 

H. C., son of Jesse, married Susan C. Lister; W. R. married 
Minnie Davis; G. M. married Mattie Lister; C. N. married Alice 
Bateman; S. M. married Texas Tripp. 

The children of H. C. are: Charles C., who married Thelma 
Mullis; and Effie, who married J. J. Floyd. 

The children of G. M. are: Alma, who married W. M. Livings¬ 
ton; and Gladys. 

The Burch Family. 

The Burch family is one of the largest families in this section, 
being scattered over the counties of Dodge, Telfair and Laurens. 


206 


History of Dodge County 


This family is descended from Joseph Burch, who came from Eng¬ 
land and settled first in Richmond County, near Augusta, later 
moving to Montgomery County, thence to Telfair County, which 
was Wilkinson at that time. He settled at China Hill, near the 
Ocmulgee River. The Indians occupied the land across the river. 
Mr. Burch often went across the river and mingled with the Indians, 
being on friendly terms with them. It was on one of these occa¬ 
sions that he met his death at the hands of the Indians. He and a 
son, Littleton, had gone across the river and were erecting a camp 
house at the spot where Bowen’s Mill is now located. On the night 
of March 3, 1818, they were fired upon by a band of Indians, 
Mr. Burch being killed instantly. The son, Littleton, was wounded, 
and the Indians scalped him, leaving him for dead. He revived, 
however, and swam across the river, going to the home of Mr. John 
Willcox, near Temperance, where he was cared for until he was 
able to get to his home. It was this brutal act of the Indians that 
precipitated a skirmish between the whites and Indians. On March 
9, 1818, 36 citizens of Telfair County assembled and crossed 
over the river to seek redress. Some distance from the river they 
discovered a party of 50 or 60 Indians advancing within gunshot. 
Firing commenced by each party and was warmly kept up three- 
fourths of an hour. A part of the detachment effected their retreat, 
bringing off one badly wounded. Four white men were killed, among 
them being Major Cathron, who was in command of the Telfair 
Militia. Four Indians were killed. 

Joseph Burch married a Miss Hargrove, of Richmond County, 
first, and after her death married a Miss Gillie. He was the father 
of twelve children, but the writer was not able to learn which wife 
was the mother of the children, neither were we able to obtain the 
names of all the children. Hence we give only the names of the 
ancestors of the families who came to this county. They are: Al¬ 
fred; Reuben F.; Benjamin. 

The M. L. Burch Family. 

M. L. Burch was a son of Alfred Burch. Alfred was a son of 
Joseph, and married a Miss Parrish. They were the parents of five 
sons, viz.: Henry; M. L.; John; Berry; Benjamin. Alfred’s second 
wife was a widow McLendon, she having been formerly a Miss 


Some Pioneers and Their Descendants 


207 


McRae. Their only child was a son, Daniel W. Alfred’s son, 
M. L., married Augusta Dasher, and they were the parents of: 
Alice, who married Dr. W. W. Evans; Nettie, who married Ben L. 
Harrell; Marilu; Dr. John; M. H., who married Mary Lou Harrell; 
Gussie, who married the Rev. R. W. Sellman. Mr. Burch was a 
pioneer citizen of this county, coming here from Laurens soon after 
the creation of the county, and became one of its most progressive 
citizens. He was Ordinary of the county for a number of years, and 
was also County School Superintendent for a great number of years, 
having been a public officer almost the entire time of his life in 
Dodge. 

The B. T. Burch Family. 

Benjamin T. Burch, a resident of this city, was a son of Benjamin, 
who was a son of Benjamin. His father, Benjamin, married Lydia 
Sanders, and they were the parents of: Benjamin T.; D. A.; and 
Charlton 0. 

Benjamin T. married Mary Joyce, and they were the parents of: 
Dora, who married E. E. Edwards; Vienna, who married L. E. 
McVey; Minnie, who married J. M. Steward; Maribel, who married 
E. A. Chandler. 

Mr. Burch moved to Eastman soon after the town and county were 
created, and has been one of the outstanding business men of the 
community. 

Cynthia Burch, daughter of Benjamin, who was a son of Joseph, 
married Dr. Calphrey Clark and they were the parents of Matthew, 
Benjamin, Hamilton and Harlow. 

The D. A. Burch Family. 

D. A. Burch, a son of Benjamin, who was a son of Benjamin, 
married, first, Vandilla Gay, and they were the parents of: Lydia, 
who married W. D. Lister; Effie, who married R. L. Willcox; Nan, 
who married J. A. Hall; Mattie Lou, who married I. J. Jessup; 
Nettie, who married Ben F. Curry; Mary, who married Dr. W. F. 
Massey; Perry M., who married Nona Byrd; Ottis L., who married 
Ruth Tyler; Christine, who married W. H. Floyd; Ben, who married 
Roberta Veal; Harlow; Jack. Mr. Burch married, second, Miss Joe 
Rowland. 


208 


History of Dodge County 


Mr. Burch came to this county from Laurens and settled in the 
northern part of the county near Chester. He has been a successful 
farmer and business man, having engaged in the banking business 
for a number of years. 

The R. F. Burch Family. 

Reuben F. Burch was a son of Reuben F. Burch, who was a son of 
Joseph Burch, the pioneer. His father, Reuben F., married Lottie 
Cadwell, and they were the parents of the following large family: 
Joseph, who married Jane Taylor; John, who married Edna Hinson; 
Lem, who married Wilanta Cadwell; Charles, who married, first, a 
Miss Yawn, and second, Ellen Haralson; Reuben F., who married 
Millie Ann Harrell; Ann, who married Tom Ryals; Amy, who mar¬ 
ried W. J. Buchannan; Piety, who married Reuben Purvis. 

Reuben F., who was the son of Reuben F., married Millie Ann 
Harrell, and they were the parents of: Charlotte, who married John 
B. Coffee; M. D., who married Barbara Harrell; Christopher C., 
who married Louise Ray; W. A., who married Eva Roebuck; 
Mathias A., who married Maggie Cameron; Marilu, who married 
Charles Smallwood; Reuben F., who married Belle Moore; Annie 
Maude, who married the Rev. E. R. Denney; John G., who married 
Elizabeth Travis. 

Mr. Burch was a pioneer settler in this county. He is a Confed¬ 
erate veteran, being one of the three surviving veterans in this 
county at present. He was a member of Co. I, 4th Georgia Cavalry. 
He resides about seven miles from Eastman on his large country 
estate. 

The Charles Burch Family. 

Charles Burch, son of Reuben F., who was a son of Joseph, the 
pioneer, settled in the eastern part of the county known as Clark’s 
Militia District. Charles married a Miss Yawn, and they were the 
parents of: Charles, who married Vida Dunn; Ephraim, who mar¬ 
ried a Miss Coleman; Lottie, who married John Coleman; Flora, 
who married E. H. Bullard; another daughter who married Andy 
Coleman; and still another daughter who married a Brown; and a 
son, Henry Clay, who never married. 


Some Pioneers and Their Descendants 


209 


The John H. Burch Family. 

John H. Burch was a son of Alfred, who was a son of Joseph, the 
pioneer, and married a Clements. They were the parents of: B. M., 
who married Emma Womble; Sara, who married James W. Wil¬ 
liams; Ann Tillie, who married John W. Cadwell. 

The Charlton O. Burch Family. 

Charlton 0. was a son of Benjamin, who was a son of Benjamin. 
He married Rebecca L. Cadwell, and they were the parents of: 
Charlton A.; Matthew; Bealer, who married Nora Lowery. Charl¬ 
ton settled in Laurens County, near Cadwell, and was a prosperous 
farmer. 

Harlow Burch was a son of Henry, who was a son of Alfred. He 
married Emma Scarborough, and they were the parents of: Eva, 
who married a Shurley; Rachel, who married a Kitchens; Maude; 
Carrie; Maggie; and two sons. Mr. Burch came to Eastman when 
the town was in its infancy, living here several years. He was a 
prominent attorney and served as Court Stenographer for a number 
of years. 

Charles Burch, a brother to Joseph, the pioneer, settled in Rich¬ 
mond County, near Augusta. His two sons, Dr. William E. and 
Seaborn, came to this county after they were grown. 

Dr. William E., son of Charles, married Susan Willcox, daughter 
of Gen. Mark Lee Willcox, and they were the parents of: Mary E., 
who married Horton McCranie; Emma, who married W. E. Walker; 
Georgia, who married John Walker; Lena, who married George 
Bohannon; William E., who married a Miss Cave; Edwin, a min¬ 
ister, who became one of the most prominent ministers in the South 
Georgia Methodist Conference. 

Seaborn, son of Charles, and a brother to Dr. William E., married 
Ann Willcox, daughter of Gen. Mark Lee Willcox, and their chil¬ 
dren were: Jack; Everett, the present Sheriff of Montgomery 
County; and another son whose name we were unable to learn. 
Seaborn Burch was the first Ordinary of Dodge County, which of¬ 
fice he held for a number of years. 


210 


History of Dodge County 


The Burnham Family. 

The head of this family in Dodge was Alfred Burnham, who mar¬ 
ried Mary Davis. Their children were: Joel C.; Miles A.; Louis C.; 
Woodson W.; Tom; Sara Jane, who married John Cravey; Susanna, 
who married Tom Atkinson; James and Jack, who were both Con¬ 
federate soldiers and killed in battle; Mary, who married, first, Tom 
Lancaster, and after his death she married Rev. W. Murrell Wil¬ 
liamson. 

Miles A., son of Alfred, married Beckie Coffee, and their children 
were: Betty, who married James Gladden; Mary, who married 
James Nixon; Jim C., who married Clem Day; Tom, who married 
Bessie Stuckey; Annie, who married Walter Stuckey; Dolphus, who 
married Emmie Gautney; Leroy, who married Rosa Foster; Addie, 
who married Hendley Hargrove; Beauty, who married Homer 
Stuckey. 

Louis C., son of Alfred, married Elizabeth Dowdy, and their chil¬ 
dren were: Alfred H., who married Lollie McDaniel; Florence, who 
married J. C. Whitehead; Tom, who married Nora Stapleton; 
Missie, who married Clayton Harrell; Bill, who married Hattie 
Yancey. 

Woodson W., son of Alfred, married Dollie Lancaster, and their 
children were: Lou, who married John Harrell; Mattie, who mar¬ 
ried Alec Harrell; Kate, who married George Harrell; Mell, who 
married Alice Harrell; Guss, who married Carrie O’Neal; Joe. who 
married Nettie Harrell; Bob, who married Effie Sheffield; Julia Ann, 
who married Fred Tyler; Dave, who never married. 

Tom, son of Alfred, married Millie Ann Harrell, and they were 
parents of one daughter, Jennie, who married a Dr. Fielder. Mr. 
Burnham was a Confederate soldier and lost his life in battle. His 
widow married Cullen Rogers. 

The widow of Alfred, the pioneer, married Rev. James William¬ 
son. 

The Campbell Family. 

Daniel Campbell, a native of Scotland, was a pioneer settler in 
this county, having come to this section from North Carolina when 
Telfair County was in its infancy. He settled near the Ocmulgee 
River in that portion of Telfair which later became Dodge. Mr. 


Some Pioneers and Their Descendants 


211 


Campbell was eighty-eight years of age at the time of his death, and 
no man was held in higher esteem by the public in general than he. 
His first wife was a Miss Morrison, and they were the parents of: 
Robert, who married Jane Bowen; Caroline, who married John 
Cravey; Sarah, who married Dave Yancey; a daughter who married 
Hugh McLean. His second wife was Mary McLean. There were 
no children of this union. 

Robert, son of Daniel Campbell, married Jane Brown, and their 
children were: Norman; Charles; Lewis; Daniel; Mollie, who 
married J. C. Ryals; Maggie, who married Mike Conley; Carrie, 
who married G. F. Futch. 

The Clark Family. 

Dr. Calphrey Clark, a pioneer of this section, married Cynthia 
Burch, daughter of Benjamin Burch, and they were the parents of: 
Matthew; Ben; Hamilton; Harlow. 

John, son of Dr. Calphrey, married Rebecca Hall of Appling 
County, and they were the parents of: Lute; Ben; Sarah. 

Matthew, son of Dr. Calphrey, married Mary Hendley, first, 
and they were the parents of: Lummie, who married C. J. Noles; 
Mattie; Mollie, who married B. R. Calhoun; Vienna, who married 
0. R. Bennett; Emma, who married Dock Bennett; Calphrey C., 
who married Mamie Fish; Callie. His second wife was Miss Dollie 
Pickren, and they were the parents of: Nita, who married C. L. 
Persons; Evie, who married Adam Jones; Leslie M., who married 
Annie Lou Sheppard; Nettie, who married Frank Jones. 

Ben, son of Dr. Calphrey, married Frances Rushing, and their 
only child, Mary, married W. K. Bussey. They were the parents 
of Will B.; Ben N., who married Marietta Brown; Eva, who married 
E. B. Smith; Alice, who married W. N. Collum; Minnie Lee, who 
married W. F. Harrison; Rozzie. Mr. Bussey was the father of a 
daughter by a former marriage, Leila, who married Walter F. Smith. 

Hamilton, son of Dr. Calphrey, married Margaret Miller, and 
their children were: Fannie, who married Levi Evans; John M., 
who married Maggie Willcox; Odie, who married Bob Lee Ed¬ 
wards; Ilda Mae, who married John Carr; Hattie, who married J. I. 
Hargrove; William H., who married Elizabeth Daniel. 


212 


History of Dodge County 


Harlow, son of Dr. Calphrey, married Cassie Miller, and they 
were the parents of: Dr. John B., who married Annie Harwell; 
Lou, who married Lane Donaldson; Mary Frances, who married 
J. D. Nash; Hamilton, who died while a student in the law depart¬ 
ment of the University of Virginia; Geroma, who married A. B. 
Hargrove. Mr. Clark married, second, Miss Kate Hall, and they 
were the parents of Annie Maude, who married William E. Burch. 

The Coffee Family. 

General John Coffee was among the first settlers in Telfair County. 
He came to this section from Virginia, and was the son of Peter 
Coffee, who was a Revolutionary soldier. His mother was Sarah 
Smith Coffee. Peter Coffee and his wife were the parents of the 
following children: Elizabeth, who married C. Daniel; Nancy, who 
married, first, L. Legeon, and second, Abram Heard, and third, 
Jas. Kennedy; Susan, who married a Randall; General John, who 
married Ann Penelope Bryan; Joshua, who never married; Sarah, 
who married William Harris; Mary, who married H. Gibson; Cyn¬ 
thia, who married Thomas Stocks; Martha, who married George 
Heard. 

General John, our subject, fought in the War of 1812-1815, and 
rose to the rank of General. He represented Telfair County in the 
Legislature, and was also elected three times to Congress. He never 
lived to serve his third term in Congress, having died on the eve of 
his third election. News traveled so slowly in those days that it is 
said that although he died the day before the election, his death was 
not known, and he was elected to serve the third term after death. 
This was in 1836. He commanded the State Militia after the Indian 
War and built a highway through Georgia to facilitate the removal 
of his troops, and the road is still known as the “Old Coffee Road.” 
He was a close friend of President Andrew Jackson. He married 
Ann Penelope Bryan, and they were the parents of: John B., who 
married, first, Rebecca Willcox, and second, a Griffin; Peter Harris, 
who married, first, Susan Ann Rogers, and second, Martha Ann 
Sheldon; Andrew Jackson; Hill Bryan, who married Mary E. 
Church; William; Joshua; Christopher C.; Sarah Ann Elizabeth, 
who married Gen. Mark Lee Willcox; Susan, who married a Bryan. 
Coffee County was named in honor of Gen. John Coffee. 


Some Pioneers and Their Descendants 


213 


John B., son of Gen. John, married Rebecca Willcox, and they 
were the parents of: John W.; Dr. Mark; Rebecca, who married 
Miles Burnham. His second wife was a Griffin, and they were the 
parents of: Col. William Coffee; Missouri, who married a Brough¬ 
ton; Neenie, who married George Adams. 

Peter Harris, son of Gen. John, married Susan Ann Rogers, and 
they were the parents of: Joshua, who married Mary Daniel; An¬ 
drew Jackson, who married a Futch; Christopher C., who married 
Mary Rogers; Peter, who married a Daniel; John A., who married 
Rebecca Daniel; Minnie, who married T. W. Weeks; Neppie, who 
married John T. Lee; Babe, who married Mose Daniel; Susan, who 
married Tom Pete Willcox. The second wife of Peter Harris was 
Martha Ann Sheldon and they were the parents of: Willie; Irby; 
Idella. 

John W., son of John B., married a McCoy, and they were the 
parents of: John B. and Archie. He married, second, Isabel Mc- 
Crimmon, and they were the parents of: Sidney (Sip.); Mitchell, 
who died in childhood. 

Joshua, son of Peter Harris, married Mary Daniel, and they were 
the parents of: Annie, who married, first, Murdock Bryan, and 
second, John M. Law; J. P., who married Mary J. Bowen; Margaret 
Rebecca, who married J. K. Willcox; Sudie, who married F. F. 
Bohannon; Sallie, who married Willie A. Bowen; Lou Letitia, who 
married John Wadsworth; Mary Belle, who married Morris Wil¬ 
liams. 

Andrew Jackson, son of Peter Harris, married a Futch, and they 
were the parents of: Dr. W. P., who married Bessie Burch; Jen¬ 
nings, who married a Cravey; Ruby, who married Warren Harrell; 
A. J., who married a Gammage. 

Andrew Jackson and Bryant, sons of Gen. John, moved to Florida. 
Bryant’s daughter, Elizabeth, married a Sheldon. 

The Coleman Family. 

W. A. Coleman, a pioneer settler in this county, came from 
Laurens County. He married Priscilla Wright, and they were the 
parents of: William C., who married Mary Coleman, daughter of 
William Coleman; Sabra Caroline, who married Alfred T. Cole¬ 
man; Roxie Rebecca, who married John C. Ryals; Mary Eliza, who 


214 


History of Dodge County 


married J. H.- Evans; Nancy J., who never married; W. H., who 
married, first, Emma V. Thompson, and second, Sudie Walker; 

B. T., who married Mary C. Taylor; J. A., who married Christian 
Burch; G. R. L., who married Nancy Evans; Martha J., who mar¬ 
ried Dock Sanderson; Joel F., who married Nancy Ann Rogers. 

W. H., son of W. A., became a Baptist minister, and has served 
many churches in the county. He is the father of a number of 
children, among whom is Dr. Warren A. Coleman, of Eastman. Dr. 
Coleman married Christine Edwards, daughter of Milton H. Ed¬ 
wards and his wife Lena Carr Edwards, and they are the parents of 
two little girls. 

The Cravey Family. 

John Cravey, the head of the Cravey family, came from North 
Carolina and settled in Telfair County, a part of which later became 
Dodge. He was a Captain in the Confederate army. He married a 
daughter of Daniel Campbell, and their children were: Dave; Dan 

C. ; Bob; Henry; Locke; John; Susanna, who married Bayers 
Walker; Mary, who married Bill Pickren; Lizzie, who married John 

D. Moore. He married, second, Jane Burnham, and their children 
were: Emma, who married Mark Garrison; Lena, who married Jess 
Knight. His third wife was Katherine Pickren, and their children 
were: Ida, who married a Campbell; Ben; Joe; and Tom. 

Dan C. Cravey, son of John, married Abbie Pickren, and their 
children were: John L.; William Marvin; Grover Cleveland; 
Daniel; Walter R.; Loche; Madie, who married Joe B. Williams; 
Maggie, who married Jim Studstill; Ruth, who married Jennings 
Coffee; Essie, who married Eugene Willcox. 

John L., son of Dan C., married Mittie Holland; William Marvin, 
son of Dan C., married Abbie Brown; G. C. married Mary Coody; 
Walter R. married Mahaley Draffin; Loche married Trellie Steele. 

The Daniel Family. 

The Daniel family has been prominently identified with the up¬ 
building of this county. They are descended from John Daniel, a 
Revolutionary soldier from South Carolina, who came here soon 
after this country was settled, probably before the Indians had left. 

John Daniel’s wife was Rebecca Stevens, and they were the par¬ 
ents of: Jack, who married Eliza Mitchell; Moses, who married 


Some Pioneers and Their Descendants 


215 


Lulenda Evans; Matthew, who 
never married; James, who 
married Elizabeth Willcox; 

Nancy, who married Simeon 
Bishop; Sallie, who married 
George Willcox; Mary, who 
married John Willcox; Soph- 
ronia, who married Norman 
McDuffie. 

Jack, son of John, married 
Eliza Mitchell, and they were 
the parents of: Steve; Mar¬ 
garet, who married John Ham¬ 
ilton; Rebecca, who married 
Dr. James Humphreys; Mary 
who married Joshua Coffee; 

Louisa, who married William 
Fletcher; Nancy, who married 
George Willcox. JACK DANIEL, 

Nancy, daughter of John, Son of John, the Pioneer. 

married Simeon Bishop, and they were the parents of only two 
children: John, who died in childhood, and James, who married 
Mary Elizabeth Guyton. 

James, son of John, married Elizabeth Willcox, and they were 
the parents of: Mary, who married Henry Whitfield; Beckie, who 
married John A. Coffee; Tom, who never married; Sim, who mar¬ 
ried Fronia Willcox; John, who married Nealie Love; Sallie, who 
married Peter Coffee. 

Moses, son of John, married Lulenda Evans, and they were the 
parents of: John M., who married Elizabeth Harrell; Matthew, who 
married a Mitchell. 

John M., son of Moses, married Elizabeth Harrell, and they were 
the parents of: Moses J. W., who married, first, Bailey Coffee, and 
second, Corrinth Curry; William Byrd, who married Mary Mitchell. 

William Byrd and his wife, Mary Mitchell, were the parents of: 
Byrdie, who married H. M. O’Callaghan; Wright J., who married 
Minnie Belle Knox; Bessie Mae, who married Dr. Reese Patterson; 
Harry, who married a Miss Crum. 








216 


History of Dodge County 


Moses J. W. and his first wife, Bailey Coffee, were the parents of: 
Elizabeth, who married W. H. Clark; Sara, who married Dr. Haw¬ 
kins; John, who married Irene Butler; Willie Byrd. 

Moses J. W. and his second wife, Corrinth Curry, were the parents 
of: Hortense; Clifford; Mozelle; and James. 

John Daniel, the head of this family in Dodge, died about the 
year 1830 , and was buried in the family cemetery about ten miles 
from Eastman on the old river road. A few years ago the Col. Wm. 
Few Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, erected a 
marker at his grave. 

Will of John Daniel, 1830. 

GEORGIA, PULASKI COUNTY. 

In the name of God, Amen! I, John Daniel, of the state and county 
aforesaid, being sick in body but of sound mind and disposing mind and mem¬ 
ory, do hereby make and declare the following to be my last will and testa¬ 
ment, hereby revoking all wills and codicils heretofore made by me. 

Item 1st. It is my will that my executors hereinafter named, do pay all 
my just debts so soon after my death as circumstances and the situation of 
affairs will conveniently admit, and in enabling my same executors so to do 
it is my will that my property remain together till the same is done. 

Item 2nd. I give and bequeath to my son James the land I purchased of 
John Lister excepting therefrom a piece of woodland lying west and south of 
a drain or hollow which divides the pine land and oak land adjoining Atkins 
land and the lands bought of Brinson on the river. I also give my son James 
the following named negro slaves, to wit: Sandy, Phate, Prince, Arthur and 
Rachel, with the future increase of Rachel. 

Item 3rd. I give and bequeath to my son Moses the land on which he lives 
and the following named negro slaves, to wit: Hardy, Byus, Jessee, Hiram 
and Ally with the future increase of Ally. 

Item 4th. I give and bequeath to my son John the lands I bought of Jason 
Brinson and that part reserved from the lands given my son James and the 
following named negro slaves, viz.: Jim, Charles, Will, Green and Frankey, 
with the future increase of Frankey. 

Item 5th. I give and bequeath to my son in law, Simeon Bishop, in trust 
nevertheless for the only proper use and behoof of my grandson John and 
James Bishop and such other children as shall be born of my daughter Nancy 
Bishop the following named negro slaves, viz.: Judy, Martha, Irwin, Creasy, 
Wilson with the future increase of the females to my said grandchildren and 
their heirs I give it. 

Item 6th. I give and bequeath to my executors hereinafter named in trust 
nevertheless for the benefit and behoof of my daughter Mary Daniel and the 


Some Pioneers and Their Descendants 


217 


issues of her body lawfully begotten in wedlock the following named negro 
slaves and other property, to wit: Caty, Silas, Clary, Caroline and Henry with 
the future increase of the females, one bay mare with a blaze face and so much 
money as will be sufficient to defray the tuition and board of the said Mary 
for one year at school, but should the said.depart this life without hav¬ 

ing such issues of her body then the aforesaid property to return to my estate 
and be divided among my children. 

Item 7th. 1 give and bequeath to my son in law, George Willcox, in trust 
nevertheless for the only proper use, benefit of my grandson, James Willcox 
and such other child or children as shall be born of my daughter Sarah Will¬ 
cox, the following negro slaves, that is to say, Maria, Rich, Abner, Mary and 
Martha with the future increase of the females to said James and such other 
child or children as shall be born of the body of my said daughter Sarah I 
give them for the only proper use and that of their heirs. 

Item 7th. I give and bequeath to my executors hereinafter named the fol¬ 
lowing property in trust nevertheless for the only proper use and behoof of my 
granddaughter, Rebecca Daniel during the term of her natural life and after¬ 
wards to the issues of the body of the said Rebecca lawfully to be gotten in 
wedlock the following negro slaves: Sophronia and Alfred and the increase of 
Sophronia, also two squares or lots of land formerly occupied by one Matthew 
Daniel, but should the said Rebecca depart this life without leaving such lawful 
issue of her body then and in that case the aforesaid land and negroes and 
increase to return to my estate and be divided among my children. 

Item 8th. I give and bequeath to my son in law Norman McDtiffie and my 
executors hereinafter named in trust nevertheless for the only proper use, bene¬ 
fit and behoof of my grand. Ashley McDuffie and such other child or 

children as shall be born of the body of my daughter Sophronia McDuffie, the 
following named negro slaves, viz.: Harriet, Elbert, Eliza, Everet, with the 
increase of the females to him and them my grandchildren, their heirs and 
assigns I give them. 

Item 9th. I give and bequeath to my son James, Moses and John to be 
equally divided between them all the balance of my estate both real and per¬ 
sonal of every description not heretofore disposed of. 

Item 10th. I do hereby appoint my son James, Moses and John to execute 
this my last will and testament. 

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand, affixed my seal 
in the year of Christ August the 19th, 1830. 

JOHN DANIEL (L. S.) 

L. B. Atkins 
S. N. Phelps 
Arthur Phelps 

COURT OF ORDINARY 
September Term 1830 
GEORGIA, PULASKI COUNTY 

We, L. B. Atkins, S. M. Phelps and Arthur Phelps do solemnly swear that 
we saw John Daniel the within testator sign, seal and publish and declare the 




218 


History of Dodge County 


writing to be and contain his last will and testament, that at the time of doing 
thereof he was of sound and disposing mind and memory and that he did freely 
without compulsion to the best of your knowledge and belief so help you God. 

S. B. Atkins 
S. N. Phelps 
Arthur Phelps 

Sworn in open court this 6th day of Sept. 1830. 

Joseph Caruthers, C. C. 0. 

Entered July 30, 1832. 

Joseph Caruthers, C. C. O. 

GEORGIA, PULASKI COUNTY 
Court of Ordinary said county. 

I, John H. Brantley, Jr., Ordinary in and for said County, do hereby certify 
that the above and foregoing paper contains the true copy of John Daniel’s will 
taken from the records kept in my office. 

Given under my hand and the seal of my office May 5, 1859. 

John H. Brantley, Jr. 

Ordinary Pulaski County. 

The Dowdy Family. 

John L. Dowdy, head of this family, moved to this section from 
Effingham County in 1827 and settled in what was then Telfair 
County near where the present town of Rhine is. He married Gordy 
Ann Anderson, and they were the parents of: J. Richard, who mar¬ 
ried Polly Ryals; Joe, who married Roxie Ryals; Joe was a Con¬ 
federate soldier and lost his life at Petersburg, Virginia. Bill mar¬ 
ried, first, Nancy Pitts, second, Nancy Musselwhite, and third, Cath¬ 
erine McDaniel. Hezzie married Creasy Pitts; he was also a Con¬ 
federate soldier. Mart L. married, first, a Miss Musselwhite, and 
second, Polly Rainey. Jack R. married Betsy Jane Marchant. Mary 
married a Lambard. 

Hezzie, son of John L., married Creasy Yawn, and their children 
were: Elizabeth, who married Louis C. Burnham; Tom, who mar¬ 
ried Martha Tomlin; Nan, who married Frank Hilliard; Sara, who 
married, first, Jim Brown, and next, John L. Dowdy, Jr.; Uria, who 
married Lula Yancey; Alice, who married Wesley Thompson; Bill, 
who married Ida Reaves; Emma, who married George Coley; Hez¬ 
zie, who married Beckie Dowdy; J. R. never married. 


Some Pioneers and Their Descendants 


219 


The Evans Family. 

Henry Evans came to this section from North Carolina. His 
children were: Reuben; Sukie; Ned; John; Henry; Lovett; Bill; 
Georgia; Rhoda. 

Henry, son of Henry, the pioneer, married Lucinda Harrell, 
daughter of Asa Harrell, pioneer. Their children were: Ashley; 
Benjamin; James; Millie Ann; Sophronia; Zilphia Ann; Henry; 
Nancy; Willis; Baker. 

There was a brother of Henry, the pioneer, who also came from 
North Carolina, and he was the father of: Lish; Sam; Polly; and 
Nancy. Still another brother, who was also a pioneer to this sec¬ 
tion, was the father of Jack and Lee Evans. 

The Giddens Family. 

The head of the Giddens family in Dodge County was Benjamin 
E. L. Giddens, who was the son of Moses Giddens, of South Carolina. 
Moses Giddens was the son of Thomas Giddens, who went to South 
Carolina from Pennsylvania. 

Benjamin E. L. Giddens, a pioneer to this section, married Bedia 
C. Smith, daughter of Hugh Smith, of North Carolina, in 1842. 
They were the parents of eight boys and five girls, as follows: 

Hughie M., son of Benj. E. L., married Mary J. Thompson, and 
they were the parents of six sons, four daughters, sixty-one grand¬ 
children and sixteen great-grandchildren. 

John R., son of Benj. E. L., married Tempty Parkerson, daughter 
of Cordial Parkerson. They were the parents of three children, 
fourteen grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. The second 
wife of John R. was a Mrs. Williams. 

James R., son of Benj. E. L., and a twin brother of John R., mar¬ 
ried Elizabeth Parkerson, daughter of Cordial Parkerson. They 
were the parents of seven children. He married the second time, 
Della Rawlins, daughter of George W. Rawlins, and they were the 
parents of eight children. In all, James R. had fifteen children, 
fifty-three grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren. 

B. A., son of Benj. E. L., married Mary Ann Parkerson, daughter 
of Cordial Parkerson. They were the parents of eight children, 


220 


History of Dodge County 


fifty-five grandchildren, and nineteen great-grandchildren. His 
second wife was Jessie Flanders, and they have one child. 

W. B., son of Benj. E. L., married Mollie Dean, and they were 
the parents of four children and six grandchildren. 

T. D. G., son of Benj. E. L., married Pharrabee Harrell, daughter 
of John A. Harrell, and they were the parents of six children. He 
married the second time, Annie Baker, and they were parents of 
eight children, making a total of fourteen children in all, and nine¬ 
teen grandchildren. 

C. L., son of Benj. E. L., married Mattie Dean, and they were the 
parents of four children and three grandchildren. 

T. W., son of Benj. E. L., married Mary Foskey. 

Nancy G., daughter of Benj. E. L., married J. C. Rawlins and they 
were the parents of six children: J. Q.; J. T.; Mollie, wife of Sam 
Nicholson; Ida; Julia; and Etna, wife of John N. Mullis. 

Mary A., daughter of Benj. E. L., married Lewis B. Harrell, and 
they were the parents of five children, twelve grandchildren, and 
seven great-grandchildren. 

Bedie A., daughter of Benj. E. L., married Richard Peacock, and 
they were the parents of four children and four grandchildren. 

Eliza G., daughter of Benj. E. L., married David T. Dykes, and 
they were the parents of six children and fifteen grandchildren. 

Martha Ann, daughter of Benj. E. L., married G. W. Evans, and 
they were the parents of five boys, five girls, forty-six grandchildren, 
and thirty-three great-grandchildren. 

The total number of descendants of Benj. E. L. Giddens and his 
wife, Bedia, is 493. 

The Hamilton Family. 

Stewart Hamilton was a Revolutionary soldier from North Caro¬ 
lina, and came to this section soon after Telfair County was formed, 
settling in that portion which later became Dodge County. His wife 
was Clarissa Stringer, and they were the parents of: Benjamin; 
Solomon; Rebecca, who married a Storey; Stratho; Josiah; William, 
who married Elizabeth Brown; Clarissa, who married a Connell; 
Sarah, who married a Burch; Rosannah, who married a Gillis. 

William, son of Stewart, married Elizabeth Brown, and they were 


Some Pioneers and Their Descendants 


221 


the parents of: Irvin Brown, who married Caroline Lee; John, who 
married Margaret Daniel. 

Irvin B., son of William, married Caroline Lee, and their children 
were: Elizabeth, who married Larkin L. Hargrove; William, who 
married a Miss Dykes; Johnnie, who never married; Pherabee, who 
married John James Harrell; Bart, who married a Miss Bradford. 

John, son of William and his wife, Elizabeth Brown, married 
Margaret Daniel, and their children were: Eliza, who married Joe 
Willcox; John D., who married Fanny H. Edwards; Melcina, who 
married George R. Willcox; Mollie, who married John S. (“Trick”) 
Willcox; Sarah, who married Thomas S. Willcox; Ben, who mar¬ 
ried a Miss Brand; Rebecca, who married a Carell. 

Eliza, daughter of John, married Joe Willcox, and they were the 
parents of: John Mitchell, who married Mary Causley; Maggie, 
who married John M. Clark; Mattie, who married a Millican; Joe 
Lee, who married a Miss Meadows. 

The Harrell Family. 

There are several large families in this county, but the largest is 
perhaps the Harrell family. There are four sets of this family, 
occasioned by the fact that four brothers came to this section from 
North Carolina and settled in what was then Wilkinson County. 

These four brothers were Asa, Levi, Frances and William. They 
were the sons of Levi Harrell, a Revolutionary soldier of North 
Carolina. Old man Levi, their father, married a Mrs. Cole, who 
was the mother of the above mentioned brothers. Levi married, 
second, a Miss White, and they were the parents of three sons who 
came to Georgia with their half brothers. They were Jacob, Ethelred 
and Samuel, and went to southwest Georgia, settling around Quit- 
man. 

In 1806 Asa and young Levi bought the land and settled on what 
is now the Candler farm, which is located about three miles above 
Eastman on the Cochran road. The other two brothers settled on 
the other side of what is now Eastman. 

Asa, pioneer, married Elizabeth Keen, and they were the parents 
of: John A., who married Jeanet Hendley, and Willis, who married 
Sophia Hendley, both of whom were daughters of Horton Hendley 
and his wife Polly Ann Daniel; Ben; Asa, Jr.; Katie, who married 


222 


History of Dodge County 


Cordial Parkerson; Morning, who married Elbert Peacock, Sr.; 
Polly, who married Dave Clements; Charlotta, who married, first, 
Martin Cadwell, and second, John McCranie, Sr.; Lucinda, who 
married H. H. Evans; Sukie, who married Billie Holt; Penny, who 
married a Clements; Nancy, who married a Clements. 

John A., son of Asa, was a Captain in the Confederate army. He 
married Jeanet Hendley, daughter of Horton Hendley and his wife 
Polly Ann Daniel. They were the parents of: J. Dan, who was a 
soldier in the Confederate army; W. J.; John J.; Horton; Mary, 
who married Andy Cadwell; Morgan; Nan, who married a Burt. 

Willis, son of Asa, pioneer, was a First Lieutenant in the Con¬ 
federate army. He married Sophia Hendley, daughter of Horton 
Hendley and his wife Polly Ann Daniel. Their children were: 
John James, who married, first, Farrabee Hamilton, and second, 
Melissa Stewart Jump; W. P., who married Viola Studstill; Aillie 
Ann, who married R. F. Burch, Sr.; Mary Jane, who married a 
Burt. Mary Jane’s children were: Edna, who married Archie Har¬ 
rell, a son of Charles, who was a grandson of Levi, the pioneer; 
Willie Mae, who married John Stewart. 

Ben, son of Asa, pioneer, married Belitha Hogan, and they were 
the parents of: Reuben A.; Ben; Lemuel; Wright; Billie, who died 
in the Confederate army; Asa, who married Eliza Burch, sister of 
M. L. Burch; Willis, who married Amelia Bureh, also a sister of 
M. L. Burch; Caroline, who married Jim Delk; Lovett, who settled 
in Coffee County. 

Asa, Jr., son of Asa, the pioneer, married Mary McEachin, and 
they were the parents of: A. P., who married, first, Mary Rozar, 
and were the parents of Jim and W. Rozar Harrell; and second, 
Miss Lou Bond. Ben, son of Asa, Jr., married Nettie Burch, daugh¬ 
ter of M. L. Burch; Mollie, daughter of Asa, Jr., married a Brown; 
Jennie, another daughter of Asa, Jr., was the first wife of H. J. 
Sapp. 

Reuben A., first Clerk of the Court of Dodge County, was the son 
of Ben, who was the son of Asa, the pioneer. Reuben A. married 
Nannie McEachin, and they were the parents of: Lawton A.; Ella, 
who married Lewis F. Wooten; Loveda, who married, first, A. B. 
Young, and second, J. H. Smith. 


Some Pioneers and Their Descendants 


223 


Lemuel, son of Ben, who was a son of Asa, the pioneer, married 
Lizzie Noles, and they were the parents of: Ben W.; Will; John A., 
who was Clerk of the Court of Dodge County for eight years; J. I.; 
Lem; Roger; Manning; Irene. 

J. Dan, son of Captain John A., who was a son of Asa, the pioneer, 
married, first, Winnie Noles, and they were parents of: Levi. His 
second wife was Nancy Margaret Studstill, and they were the par¬ 
ents of: Georgia, who married Will Paul; Gussie; Mittie; Hattie, 
who married Col. J. H. Milner. 

W. J., son of John A., who was a son of Asa, the pioneer, married 
Elizabeth Johnson, and they were the parents of: Verna, who mar¬ 
ried J. H. McDonald; Edna; Wilbur, who married Eva Bell Tatum; 
Juliette, who married Lionel Phelps. 

Levi Harrell. 

Levi Harrell, pioneer, married Elizabeth Holt, and they were the 
parents of: Wright; Levi, Jr.; W. L.; Lovett; Needham; Annie 
married Frank Lee and they were the parents of: Levi; Wash; 
Nannie, who married W. A. Cooper; Gussie, who married W. A. 
Wilkinson. Edna, another daughter of Levi Harrell, married John 
A. Hendley, of Hawkinsville. 

Wright, son of Levi, the pioneer, married Sarah Elizabeth Hamil¬ 
ton. Their children were: Ben; Elizabeth, who married John M. 
Daniel. Mr. Daniel was a soldier in the Confederate army and was 
killed in the Battle of Atlanta. They were the parents of Moses, 
J. W. and W. Byrd Daniel. 

W. L., son of Levi, the pioneer, married Sophia Hendley, daughter 
of William Hendley and his wife Millie Ann Horton. Their chil¬ 
dren were: Charles; Levi, who married Mittie Willcox; William, 
who married Harriet Willcox; Hendley, who married Nancy Will¬ 
cox, all three of whom were daughters of John Willcox of Telfair 
County; Wright married Mary Reaves; Millie Ann married Tom 
Burnham, and he was killed in battle while a soldier in the Con¬ 
federate army. She then married Cullen Rogers. Her daughter, 
Jeanet Burnham, married a Dr. Fielder. 

Charles, son of W. L., who was a son of Levi, the pioneer, was a 
Confederate soldier. He married Lizzie McCoy. They were the 
parents of: Bart; Charlie; Warren; Moses W.; Barbara, who mar- 


224 


History of Dodge County 


ried M. D. Burch; Mary, who married Tom Walker; Maggie, who 
married Lovett McCranie. 

Ben H., son of Wright, who was a son of Levi, the pioneer, was 
also a soldier in the Confederate army. He married Mary Obedience 
Mitchell, daughter of R. D. Mitchell. Their children were: Orlie, 
who married J. D. Humphreys; Ben G.; Bart W. and L. S. (twins) ; 
Obie, the wife of R. Z. Sterling. 

Moses W., son of Charles, who was a son of W. L., married Stone, 
of Wilcox County. He was County School Superintendent of Dodge 
for a number of years and has recently been elected again to this 
position. 

William Harrell. 

William Harrell, pioneer, married Mary Katherine Bass, and they 
were the parents of W. L. (“Tiger Bill”), who married Winnie 
Williams; Young, who married Mary Williamson; John, who mar¬ 
ried Isabel Bowen. He was killed in a boat explosion in the spring 
of 1861, at which time Mr. Joseph Williams, father of Col. Wiley 
Williams, also lost his life. Betsie, daughter of William, married 
Jacob Parker; Katie married J. T. Rawlins; Sallie married a Gar¬ 
rison; and Polly married a McCrimmon. 

W. L. (“Tiger Bill”) married Winnie Williams, sister of Col. 
Wiley Williams, and they were the parents of: Francis, who mar¬ 
ried Miranda Webb; Wright T., who married Sarah Vaughn; Min¬ 
erva, who married W. H. Thompson; Mary, who married Jud Law; 
W. L., who married Emma Walker; L. C., who married Sarah Sat¬ 
urday; and Martha, who married Steve Daniel. 

Young, son of William, the pioneer, married Mary Williamson, 
daughter of the Rev. James Williamson, a prominent preacher and 
teacher of his time, and they settled in Telfair County. Their chil¬ 
dren were: William and Lovett Harrell, who reside in McRae. 

Frances Harrell. 

Frances Harrell, pioneer, married Betsy Owens. Their children 
were: John (“Flax Head John”); Lewis; Frank; Betsy, who mar¬ 
ried Andy Sheffield. 

John (“Flax Head John”), son of Frances, pioneer, married 
Emmie L. Lee, sister of Judge Frank Lee. Their children were: 


Some Pioneers and Their Descendants 


225 


W. F. (Billy), who married a Miss DeLamar, of Hawkinsville; 
J. W., who married Miss Laura Hargrove, a daughter of Perry S. 
Hargrove; Lovett; Hansell; Lewis; Sophia, who married J. D. 
Parkerson; Caroline, who married George Nicholson; Emma, the 
wife of John Brantley; Lizzie, wife of Dave Giddens; Sara, wife of 
Elbert Mullis. 

Frank, the son of Frances, the pioneer, married a Sheffield. Their 
children were: Frank, who married Nancy Livingston; John, who 
married Mary Jane Phillips, daughter of Axom Phillips; Levi, who 
married Carrie Mullis; one daughter married Elbert Peacock, Jr., 
and were the parents of W. F., John and Charlie Peacock; Caroline 
married John T. Graham, and they were the parents of Joe Frank, 
Hamp, Dalton, Tom, Vixie, who married Jack Lewis; one daughter 
who married a Clements, and one daughter married Sampson Lee. 
They were the parents of J. W. Lee, of Plainfield. Mary Graham 
married John Ross Rogers. 

The Hargrove Family. 

Andrew Jackson Hargrove came from Robeson County, North 
Carolina, and settled in what was then Telfair County, now Dodge. 
He married Nancy Hendley, daughter of Horton Hendley and his 
wife Polly Ann Daniel Hendley. Their children were: Jane, who 
married Jordan Brown; Horton, who died in childhood; Larkin L., 
who married Elizabeth Hamilton, daughter of Irvin Hamilton; 
Perry S., who married Elvina Nicholson, daughter of S. C. Nichol¬ 
son; A. J., Jr., who married Jennie McCranie, daughter of John 
McCranie; J. H., who married Mary McRae, daughter of John F. 
McRae, of Telfair County; W. D., who married Lydia Wishart, 
daughter of Eli Wishart, of Lumberton, N. C.; Annie, who married 
R. E. Wishart, of Lumberton, N. C.; T. H., who never married; 
L. F., who never married; J. F., who married Annie Rowland, daugh¬ 
ter of John B. Rowland, of Rowland, N. C. 

The Hendley Family. 

William Hendley came from Scotland and settled first in Virginia. 
He was a Revolutionary soldier, and after the close of the war came 
to Bulloch County, Georgia, where he resided for two years, coming 
to this section when new settlers began arriving. He settled near 


226 


History of Dodge County 


the Ocmulgee River beyond where the town of Rhine is now, about 
where old Allston Methodist Church was later built. It is said that 
the church was built on land formerly owned by Mr. Hendley. He 
married Millie Ann Horton, and their children were: William, who 
married a Miss Harrell; Sophia, who married W. L. Harrell, son 
of Levi Harrell, the pioneer; Jeanet, who married Daniel McCranie, 
son of John H. McCranie, the pioneer; Nancy, who married a Round- 
tree; Horton, who married Polly Ann Daniel; one daughter who 
married a Fletcher; one daughter who married a Posey; and one 
daughter who married a Jarnigan. 

Horton Hendley, son of William, the pioneer, married Polly Ann 
Daniel, and their children were: Sarah, who married, first, a Keen, 
and next, a Posey; Dan, who married a Miss Jarnigan, of Alabama; 
Jeanet (Jensy), who married John A. Harrell, son of Asa Harrell, 
the pioneer; William, who married a Miss Caruthers; Sophia, who 
married Willis Harrell, son of Asa Harrell, the pioneer; John, who 
married Edna Harrell; Millie, who married Bill Taylor, and were 
the parents of John and Joe Taylor; Mary, who married Matthew 
Clark; Nancy, who married A, J. Hargrove. 

The Humphreys Family. 

Dr. James Humphreys, who was an early settler in this county, 
married, first, Sarah Willcox, daughter of Woodson Willcox, and 
they were the parents of one son, William Willcox Humphreys. 
After the death of his first wife, Dr. Humphreys married Rebecca 
Daniel, daughter of Jack M. Daniel, and they were the parents of: 
Martha, who married James Fletcher; Mollie C., who married Hiram 
J. Sapp; Maggie, who married Luke Sapp; Eliza, who married 
James Y. Willcox; James D., who married Orlie Harrell; Nannie 
R., who married Stephen D. Bowen. 

Nannie, daughter of Dr. James Humphreys, married Stephen D. 
Bowen, and they were the parents of: Lydia Pearl, who married 
Luther M. Bachelor; Georgia, who died at the age of six; Susie 
Rebecca, who married Willie Frank Harrell; William Ashburn, who 
died at the age of eighteen months; Margaret, who married Cheney 
Acquilla Brantley; Mamie Patricia, who married J. Herrman Pick¬ 
ett; Stephen D., Jr.; Orlie Cornelia, who married Paul Kruger 


Some Pioneers and Their Descendants 


227 


Pickering; Mattie Grace, who married Elbert Lawrence Johnson; 
Lois Kathleen. 

A Pioneer Minister. 

Dr. P. A. Jessup. 

Dr. Jessup was one of the most prominent Baptist ministers in the 
State. He was a Confederate veteran, having enlisted at the age 
of sixteen at the last call of the Confederacy. He came to Eastman 
in its infancy as a teacher in the old Eastman Academy, in 1879. He 
spent many years teaching, many of the older citizens of this place 
having received their education under his tutorage. 

For many years he was at the head of New Ebenezer College at 
Cochran. This college gave way a few years ago to the Twelfth 
District Agricultural College. Perhaps no other man of this entire 
section did as much for education as did Dr. Jessup. He helped 
many poor girls and boys through college and started them on their 
right way in life. He was a Christian of the highest type and a 
“Gentleman of the Old School,” and it was often said of him that 
he was always on the right side of any vital question. He was also 
a trustee of Mercer University for twenty-two years, and was con¬ 
nected with many more institutions of learning, and was pastor of 
many churches throughout the State. 

Though eighty years of age, Dr. Jessup was active up to the day 
he was stricken with his last illness. He had served on the grand 
jury during Superior Court just a few weeks before he was stricken, 
and was as active as any of the younger men. He was elected chap¬ 
lain of that body, and it was said that his farewell talk and prayer 
just before adjournment were gems of eloquence. 

Dr. Jessup was the father of W. L. Jessup, of Eastman; Mrs. W. L. 
Roebuck, of Cordele; Broadus Jessup, of Jacksonville, Fla.; Mrs. 
William Backus, of Atlanta; Horace A., of Dothan, Ala.; Milton 
Jessup, of Eastman. 

The Jones Family. 

William Jones came from North Carolina and resided for a while 
near Fort Valley, moving to this section about 1856. He settled at 
Lovely Grove Church, near where Ross Mullis now resides. His 
wife was Nancy Raffield, and their children were: John W.; Joe; 
R. M.; Eliza; Mary; Nancy; Charles J. 


228 


History of Dodge County 


John W. married a Miss Taylor, and they were the parents of: 
John, who married a Miss Warren; Seab; Calvin, who married a 
Miss Powell; Joe; a daughter who married Ansell Woodward: and 
Matt. 

Joe, son of William, married Martha Peacock, and their children 
were: Frances, who married B. F. Horne; Eliza, who married John 
L. McCranie; Babe, who married Carr Smith; Bob, who married 
Lou Grissom; Bill; Bell, who married a Dunn (a preacher); Car¬ 
rie, who married a Hightower. 

R. M., son of William, married Clemmie Peacock, and their chil¬ 
dren were: John E.; Charles M.; Joseph C.; R. F.; Dollie, who 
married Dan Peacock; Annie, who married Dan Rogers; Babe, who 
married Seab C. Jones; Martha, who married John J. Cravey. 

Charles J., son of William, married Millie Ann Seay, and their 
children were: John W.; Seab A.; R. Frank; M. M.; Dr. A. B., who 
is a surgeon in a Government hospital in Washington City; Mary 
married John Cain; Nancy married R. F. Nixon. 

Eliza, daughter of William, married W. W. Taylor, and they were 
the parents of: John; Joe; Zack; Mary, who married a Mullis. 

Mary, daughter of William, married Tom Rogers, and they were 
the parents of: John; Monroe; Charlie; Will; Sara, who married 
Frank Parkerson; Nancy, who married Joel F. Coleman; Lucilla, 
who married Charlie Peacock; Ida, who married Wade Coleman, 
Jr.; Winnie married Walter Pierce; Effie married Chris Lowery; 
Mary Jane married Willie Coleman. 

Nancy, daughter of William, married Pope Mullis. 

Charlton Jones, head of this family, came to Dodge from Pulaski 
County. His wife was a Miss Barlow, and they were the parents of: 
S. C., who married Babe Jones, daughter of R. M. Jones, who was 
the son of William Jones. 

S. C. and his wife were the parents of: Lula, who married Free¬ 
man Ham; Leila, who married Dave Cadwell; Mary, who married 
Ed Brown; Minnie, who married Gwinn Murray; John R. C., who 
married Mattie Hardy; Rufe, who married Clara Cravey; Henry, 
who married Amy Vaughn; Leonard, who married Julia Williams; 
Asa, who married Ora Tedder; Monroe C., who married a Miss 
Yawn; Eschol; Guy. The second wife of Mr. Jones was a Miss 
Ray, daughter of Joe Ray. 


Some Pioneers and Their Descendants 


229 


Alex E. Jones came from Jones County, Georgia, soon after this 
county was formed. He married Eliza Mullis, daughter of Joel W. 
Mullis, and they settled about eight miles east of Eastman in the 
Cross Roads community. 

Their children are: Joel B., who married Minnie L. Graham, 
daughter of Duncan J. Graham; Lona, who married David E. Silas; 
W. Henry, who married Sophie Clements, daughter of John F. 
Clements; Mary Lula, who married Arthur Sanders; J. W., who 
married Fanny Livingston, the daughter of D. C. Livingston; Charles 
N.; Lonnie J., who married Gertrude Grissom, daughter of C. M. 
Grissom; Leila, who married T. W. Cofield. 

The Law Family 

A. J. Law, Sr., son of Thomas and Elizabeth Calder Law, married 
Mary Harrell, daughter of W. L. (“Tiger Bill”). They settled not 
far from the Ocmulgee River, near where Union High Consolidated 
School is located. They were the parents of: Mollie, who married 
Jim Rhodes; Annie, who married J. H. Haynes. Mr. Law married, 
next, Permilla Mills, and they were the parents of: A. J., Jr.; J. L.; 
Allie, who married J. B. G. Phillips; T. E.; Essie, who married 
S. W. Studstill; S. W., who married Nannie Harrell; Mallie; R. E., 
who married Willie Hart; J. B. 

The Livingston Family. 

Martin Livingston was a Revolutionary soldier. He was a bro¬ 
ther to John Livingston, who was the father of: John S. Livingston; 
Jake Livingston; Martin Livingston; Dan Livingston; Viney; a 
daughter who married a Parkerson; a daughter who married Jake 
Hendrix; one daughter married a Bailey; one daughter married 
Fate Bohannon; one daughter married James Parkerson; Ruthie 
married Joe Graham. 

The Lowery Family. 

One of the earliest settlers in this county was Caner Lowery, who 
came from Ireland. He married a daughter of Daniel H. Maloy, 
pioneer. They were the parents of: W. A., who married a Rawlins; 
H. R.; H. B.; G. W.; Jerry E.; Nan, who married Alec Ragan; 
Millie Ann, who married Jack Reaves; Sophie, who married Henry 
McKinnon; Lizzie, who married W. D. Etheridge. 


230 


History of Dodge County 


H. R., son of Caner, married Lizzie Ragan. They were the par¬ 
ents of: W. A.; J. D.; R. F.; Alice, who married Clark Willcox; 
H. R., Jr.; B. C.; G. L.; T. R.; Ila, who married Hansell Flanders. 

H. B ., son of Caner, married a McDaniel. They were the parents 
of: Gertrude; Huberta; Andrew; Swinton. 

G. W., son of Caner, married Leckie Stuckey, and they were the 
parents of: Willie Frank; Helen, who married a Bowen. 

Jerry E., son of Caner, married Estelle Scruggs. 

Millie Ann, daughter of Caner, married Jack Reaves, and they 
were the parents of: Belle; Lizzie; John; Will. 

Sophie, daughter of Caner, married Henry McKinnon, and they 
were the parents of: Myrtle, who married B. B. Eckles; and Helen, 
who married a Rogers. 

Nan, daughter of Caner, married Alec Ragan, and they were the 
parents of: R. T., who married Elsie Wilkinson; Claud, who mar¬ 
ried Verna Hardy; Chester, who married M. C. Edwards; Herrman; 
Willie; Ruth Mae, who married Rufus Barbee. 

W. A., son of Caner, married Amandy Rawlins, and they were 
the parents of: Charles; Lovis; John; one daughter. 

R. F., son of H. R., married Belle McWhorter, and their children 
are: Jack Slaton; Emily; Ruth D.; Evie, who married Hoke Daw¬ 
son. 

H. R., Jr., son of H. R., married Dora Rogers, and their children 
are: Florence; Louise; Harris. 

Alice, daughter of H. R., married Clark Willcox, and their chil¬ 
dren are: Nannie and Norman. 

B. C., son of H. R., married Effie Rogers. They are the parents of: 
Christine and two sons. 

G. L., son of H. R., married Maxine. 

Ila married Hansell Flanders, and they are the parents of two 
boys and two girls. 

The Maloy Family. 

Daniel H. Maloy, a descendant of the Bains of Scotland, was a 
pioneer settler in the county of Telfair. He was the head of the 
Maloys in Telfair and Dodge. He was a farmer and mechanic of a 
high order of talent. He operated a blacksmith shop and was a 


Some Pioneers and Their Descendants 


231 


skilled workman. He invented the iron screw for packing cotton 
about the beginning of the War Between the States, and owing to 
the breaking out of the war failed to obtain a patent. He left a 
model of the screw press at Schofield’s Iron Works in Macon, where 
the first iron screw press for packing cotton was made. During the 
war he invented a plow with a heel, upon which the celebrated 
“Dixie Plow” of the present time was modeled, and was the orig¬ 
inator of other useful mechanical devices. He married Mary Wil¬ 
liamson, daughter of the Rev. James Williamson, better known as 
“Uncle Jimmie Williamson,” a noted preacher and teacher of that 
time. They were the parents of: James W.; Babe; Maggie, who 
married a Fussell; Daniel H.; Dr. John K.; Charles W.; Huberta; 
Dr. H. S.; Dr. W. C.; and Rosa, who married a Whaley. 

Dr. W. C., son of Daniel H., the pioneer, settled at Rhine and 
married Mamie Mizell, daughter of Griffin Mizell and his wife Callie 
McLeod. Their children were: Willie Mae, who married J. C. 
Williams; and William C., Jr. 

Dr. Henry S., son of Daniel H., the pioneer, married Lola Ryals, 
daughter of Dave Ryals. They are the parents of one son, Marian, 
who lives at Milan. 

James W., son of Daniel H., the pioneer, married Eliza Graham 
Mizell, and they were the parents of: W. M.; J. H. 0.; D. H.; Dr. 
James W.; Cassandra, who married Steve Boney. 

Dr. James W., son of James W., married Florrie Swymer, and 
they reside at Rhine. They are the parents of James W.; Charles 0.; 
Harry; Buford W.; Florrie Jean. 

Dr. John K., son of Daniel H. and his wife Sallie Willcox, mar¬ 
ried Mollie Ryals, and they were the parents of: John C., who 
married Leila Williams; Mae, who married T. A. McMillan; Dr. 
D. W. F., who married, first, Carrie Taylor, and second, Clara Bul- 
lington; Sallie, who married Walter Royal; Grace, who married Dr. 
T. J. McMillan. 

The Mizell Family. 

William Mizell was the head of the Mizell family of this county. 
William was a pioneer in the navigation of the Oemulgee, having 
been a captain of a pole boat and master of a steamboat after steam 
navigation was introduced in the river. After retiring from the 
river he became a farmer and died a few years after the close of 


232 


History of Dodge County 


the War Between the States. He settled in Telfair County and mar¬ 
ried Eliza Graham, daughter of Alexander Graham of Telfair. 

William was the father of: John; Griffin; William; Maria, who 
married John Williamson, Sr.; Eliza Graham, who married Jim 
Maloy; Bessie, who married John Parker; Susan, who married An¬ 
drew McRae; Flora, who married Andrew Larkie; Joanna. 

John, son of William, the pioneer, married Susie McLeod, and 
they were the parents of: William; Mollie, who married William 
Boney; Maria, who married a Holt; Ruby, who married Robert 
Dennard; Edna, who married a Mr. Mann. 

Griffin, son of William, the pioneer, married Callie McLeod. 
Their children were: Mamie, who married Dr. W. C. Maloy; Grif¬ 
fin, who married Abbie McLeod; Flora, who married Frank Clem¬ 
ents; Carrie, the wife of R. E. Ponder; Susie, wife of Jack Brophy; 
W. A. (Zan), who married Julia Puckett; Lorene, who married a 
Warren. 

William, son of William, the pioneer, married, first, a Miss Cotter. 
They were the parents of: Robert; a daughter, Mrs. John C. Stud- 
still; Carey. His second wife was Florence Willcox, daughter of 
George Willcox, of Wilcox County. They were the parents of only 
one child, a son, George. 

The Moore Family. 

Ben Moore came from Pennsylvania to this section in the early 
days and settled in what later became the town of Chauncey. He 
married Jane Coleman, a sister of Lev Coleman, who was the grand¬ 
father of Wade H. Coleman. They were the parents of: James, who 
married Sarah Ann Williams; John, who married Harriet Williams; 
Elizabeth, who married Dan Williams; Emma, who married Tom 
Evans; Alice, who married B. T. Whittington; B. T., who married 
Nancy Ann Phillips, first, and then married a Miss Mullis; S. Ben, 
who married Lydia Giddens; W. D., who married, first, a Faircloth, 
and second, a Miss Willis; Polly, who married Fullwood Davis; 
Joe, who married a Miss Cooper. 

Jamfes, son of Ben, the pioneer, married Sara Ann Williams, and 
their children were: John; Lizzie, who married Perry Brown; Car¬ 
rie, who married John Walker; Lula, who married Drew McCranie- 


Some Pioneers and Their Descendants 


233 


John, son of Ben, the pioneer, married Harriet Williams, and 
their children were: Jim; Ben; Sara Ann, who married I. E. Mc- 
Cranie. 

Elizabeth, daughter of Ben, the pioneer, married Dan Williams, 
and their children were: John, who has been Sheriff of Telfair 
County for many years; Willie; Dave; Sam; Mattie, who married 
Dave Daniel; Emma, who married Loche Cravey; Julia, who mar¬ 
ried a Pearson; Penny, who married Joe Davis. 

B. T., son of Ben, the pioneer, married Nancy Ann Phillips, and 
their children were: Hattie Jane, who married J. W. Holder; Emma, 
who married J. A. Wright; Mattie, who married R. B. Butler; John 
W., who married, first, Annie Hobbs, and second, Mary Hogan; 
J. A., who married Nancy Fitzgerald; S. C., who married Amy 
Foster. 

W. D., son of Ben, the pioneer, married a Miss Faircloth, and 
their children were: Irene, who married David S. Stokes; Cora, who 
married Lee Manning. He married, second, a Miss Willis, and 
their children were: W. D., Jr., who married a Miss Ursery; Ollie, 
who married Rose Rogers; Frank; Howard. 

S. B., son of Ben, the pioneer, married Lydia Giddens, and their 
only child was S. B., Jr. 

Joe, son of Ben, the pioneer, married a Miss Cooper. They were 
the parents of John. 

The McCranie Family. 

John H. McCranie, head of this large family, came to this section 
from North Carolina. He was a Scotchman, but came to America 
in time to take part in the Revolutionary War. He first came to 
Montgomery County from North Carolina, but later moved into 
Telfair County, that part of which later became a part of Dodge 
County. He married Katherine Lashley and they were the parents 
of: Daniel; Neal; John, who was a soldier in the Indian War; 
Malcolm; Roderick; Sandy; Katherine. 

Daniel, son of John H., the pioneer, married Jeanet Hendley, 
daughter of William Hendley and his wife Millie Ann Horton. 
William Hendley was also a soldier of the Revolutionary War and 
came to this country soon after its close. The children of Daniel 
were: Sophia; Bill, who was a Confederate soldier and died at 


234 


History of Dodge County 


Fairfax Court House, Virginia; John, who was a Confederate sol¬ 
dier; Katherine; Neal, a soldier of the Confederacy who lost his 
life in the battle at Chickamauga; Millie Ann; Mark; Horton, who 
was a Confederate soldier; Sallie Jane; Daniel; and Andrew Jack- 
son. 

John, son of John H., the pioneer, married, first, a Miss Watson, 
and their children were: Bettie, who married Bill Harrell; M. M., 
who married Mary Williams; Alec, who married Elizabeth Dunn; 
W. H., who married Genie Powell. His second wife was Charlotta 
Harrell Cadwell, and their children were: Irwin, who married, first, 
Sarah Ann Moore, and second, Sadie McLeod; Sallie, who married 
John Parkerson; Susie, who married D. M. Powell. 

Roderick, son of John H., the pioneer, married a Miss Williamson, 
and they were the parents of: George; Dan, who married Mary 
Coley; one daughter married John Henry Walker; one daughter 
married Joe B. Bullington; R. Manning married Beckie McDuffie; 
John D. married a Miss Vaughn; and one daughter married Fred 
Streetman. 

Katherine, daughter of John H., the pioneer, married John Wat¬ 
son, and their children were: Dan; one daughter who married Judge 
Mullen; Katherine, who married Asa L. Brown. 

Andrew Jackson, son of Daniel, who was a son of John H., the 
pioneer, married Maria Ryals, daughter of John Ryals and his wife 
Sallie Willcox. They were the parents of: John Lewis, who mar¬ 
ried Eliza Jones; Georgia Idena, who married Raymond Sheppard; 
Daniel G., who married Lilia Peacock; Absolom Johnson, who mar¬ 
ried Leila Collins; Mollie Daniel, who married C. W. Ross; Andrew 
Jackson, who married Belle Brown; James Horton, who married 
Carrie Burnett; and William Harrison, a World War veteran. 

Horton McCranie, son of Daniel, who was a son of John H., the 
pioneer, married Mary Burch, daughter of Dr. William Burch and 
his wife, Susan Willcox, daughter of Gen. Mark Willcox. Their 
children were: Callipurnia, died; Lula, who married John A. 
Bowen; William Daniel, who married Sallie Brown, daughter of 
Calvin Brown and his wife, J. Edith Ryals; Lizzie, who married 
John Barron, Sr.; Emma, who married W. J. Brown; Horton Ed¬ 
ward, who married Gertrude Brown, daughter of Charlotta Harrell 
and Reuben Brown; Pauline, who married C. L. Jamieson. 


Some Pioneers and Their Descendants 


235 


John, son of Daniel, who was son of John H., the pioneer, married 
Annie Ryals, and their children were: W. D., deceased; James 
Wright, who married Sallie Pickren; Jane, who married Andrew 
Jackson Hargrove; John L., who married Mollie Daniel; Neal, who 
married Anna Lancaster; Lilia, who married George Lancaster; 
Charlie Kibbee, who married Annie McLeod; George, deceased; 
R. W., who married Nettie McLeod; Mary, who married W. B. 
Harrell. 

Daniel McCranie, son of Daniel, Sr., who was a son of John H., 
pioneer, married Martha Reaves, and their children were: John 
Daniel, who married Beckie Ann Barron; W. Drew, who married 
Lula Moore; Mary, who married E. E. Phillips; Nannie, who mar¬ 
ried C. J. Swinson; J. C., who married Annie Day; George, de¬ 
ceased; Bob Lee, who married Maggie Douglas. 

Sallie, daughter of Daniel, Sr., who was the son of John H., the 
pioneer, married John J. Rogers, and their children were: Babe, 
who married C. M. Jones; W. D., who married Annie Jones; Sophie, 
who married J. M. Conley. 

The Mullis Family. 

Three Mullis brothers and two first cousins came from North 
Carolina and settled in this county. The three brothers were C. N. 
Mullis, Joel Mullis and Cornelius Mullis. The cousins were Alfred 
and old man Charlie. 

C. N. Mullis was the father of: Frank; Joe; Joel, Jr.; Sam; C. N., 
Jr.; Missouri; Henrietta; Eliza; and Willie. 

Joel Mullis was the father of: Mattie Lou; Joe Frank; Johnny; 
Betsy; Laura Lee; Annie Eliza; Beedie; Willie; Jerry; Newt; and 
a daughter who married Emmett Armstrong. 

Cornelius was the father of: Joel; Frank; Jim; Nancy; Eliza¬ 
beth; Sarah; and Alice. 

C. N. Mullis, Jr., son of C. N., the pioneer, married Marietta 
Tripp, and they were the parents of: Byrdie, who married Richard 
Giddens; Pearl, who married, first, L. D. Montford, and second, 
J. C. Landers; George Dewey, who married Blanche Bennett; Lewis; 
Newt; Mary Lizzie, who married-; Ethel, who mar¬ 

ried Sylvester Stuckey; Hazel, who married J. H. Benton; Orine; 
Ruth; Sarah. 



236 


History of Dodge County 


Alfred Mullis, a cousin of the above named Mullis brothers, mar¬ 
ried a Farrabee, Cumin Lee, and they were the parents of: Mary, 
who married D. C. Livingston; Emily, who married J. T. Sanford; 
Nancy, who married Robert May; Margaret, who married Sam Pea¬ 
cock; Carrie, who married Levi Harrell; Ross, who married Cynthia 
Graham. 

Charlie, brother to Alfred, settled near Dexter, and his family 
reside mostly in Bleckley and Laurens Counties. 

Jessie Mullis, son of Noah Mullis, came from North Carolina to 
this county over fifty years ago. He married Zadie Arnold, and 
their children were: Charlie, who married Mollie Miller; Jim, who 
married Jane Parkerson; his second wife was Tildy Boutwell. A 
son, Frank, married Lizzie Brady first, second, Bessie Evans, and 
third, Minnie Lee Miller. Anna married Luther Miller, and Mattie 
married Gus Morn. 


The Parkerson Family. 

The Parkerson family is, perhaps, the third largest family in 
the county. They are descended from Jacob Parkerson, a Revolu¬ 
tionary soldier, who came to this section about 1830, and settled 
about seven miles from Eastman in what was then Telfair County. 
It was Jacob Parkerson who, in 1831, built the first church, known 
as Parkerson church, which is near Parkerson’s Lake on Gum 
Swamp. 

Jacob Parkerson was the father of Cordial (or Cordie) ; Daniel; 
Sherrod; Hemming; and Edmund. 

Cordie married Kate Harrell, daughter of Asa Harrell, pioneer, 
and they were the parents of: John Daniel, who married Viney 
Livingston; Betsy, who married James R. Giddens; Temptie, who 
married John R. Giddens, (they were twin brothers) ; Nancy, who 
married J. W. Flanders; Mary Ann, who married B. A. Giddens; 
Billie, who married Jane Owen; Matthew, who married Malvina 
Wise; W. L., who married Samantha Taylor; Frank, who married 
Sara Rogers; Isaac N., who married Vienna Peacock. 

Sherrod, son of Jacob, was the father of: Jim, who married 
Delola Livingston; John, who married Sallie McCranie; Sara, who 
married John Smith; Jane, who married Jim Mullis. 


Some Pioneers and Their Descendants 


237 


Edmund, son of Jacob, married Elizabeth Clements, and they 
were the parents of: Hemming; Sara Jane, who married Needham 
Rogers; Nancy Ann, who married Martin Taylor; Emma, who mar¬ 
ried Monroe Peacock; Temptie, who married Ed Cook; one daugh¬ 
ter who married Henry Beauchamp; Candie, who married a John¬ 
son; Ida, who married a McCranie. 

Billie, son of Cordie, married Jane Owens, and their children 
were: William, who married a Miss Ragan; Jim, who married Sara 
Taylor; Sallie, who married W. L. Pirkle; Minnie, who married 
Charlton Lewis; Leila, who married Charlie Dennis; John B., who 
married Vesta Reid. 

John D., son of Cordie, married Viney Livingston, and they were 
the parents of: J. D., who married Sophie Harrell; Harlow; Wal¬ 
ter W., who married Minnie Hargrove; Lilia, who married G. R. L. 
Hendrix; Ike, who married Viola Jones. 

W. L., son of Cordie, married Samantha Taylor, and they were 
parents of: William D., who married Gertrude Wade; Willis L., 
who married Jennie Keen; Dora, who married Will Bond; Dr. Isaac 
Jefferson, who married Annie Smith; Gus M., who married Carrie 
E. Reynolds; Pearl, who married G. W. McCranie; Manning, who 
married Annie Evers. 

Frank, son of Cordie, married Sara Rogers, and their children 
were: Cordie; Tom, who married a Miss Sanders; Odie, who mar¬ 
ried William H. Mullis; Lawton, who married Ethel McElhenney; 
Harlow, who married Julia Mae White; Dr. Sidney T.; Pete, who 
married a Miss Blankenship; Mamie Kate, who married Wilbur 
Wright; Luther; Leslie, who married a Blankenship. 

Isaac N., son of Cordie, married Vienna Peacock, and their chil¬ 
dren are: William D., who married Georgia Mae Rivers; Mollie, 
who married S. J. Rawlins; Carrie, who married S. E. Bowen; John 
J., who married Lois Embry—he was a soldier in the World War 
and died while in service; Bessie, who married Elmer Braswell; 
Erhel, who married Wm. J. Daniel; Bartow; Charlie M., who mar¬ 
ried Bertie Mae Giddens; Theo M., who married Frances Attoway; 
Ruby, who married Russell McGregor; Harry; Kermit; Burnis; and 
Donald. 


238 


History of Dodge County 


The Peacock Family. 

Cullen Peacock was a pioneer settler in this county. He married 
Polly Adams, and they were the parents of: John, who married 
Caroline Williams; Elbert, who married, first, Morning Harrell, 
and second, Katie Wiggins; Ellen, who married William Souther¬ 
land; Clem, who married R. M. Jones; Martha, who married Joe 
Jones; Frances, who married William Raffield; Edith, who married 
Charlie Rogers; Caroline, who married Dave Williams; a daughter 
who married an Evans. 

John, son of Cullen, married Caroline Williams, and they were 
the parents of: Jim, who first married a Thompson, second, a 
Rozar, and third, a Mullis; William; George, who married a Phil¬ 
lips; Henry, who married a Brown; Elbert, who married, first, 
Sophia Harrell, and second, Izola Lunceford; Sam, who married 
Margaret Mullis; John, Jr., who married a Floyd; Richard, who 
married Beedie Ann Giddens; C. L., who married Lillian Cooper; 
Joe, who married Dora Rawlins; Jane, who married Frank Mullis; 
Nancy, who married Burton Dennis; Elizabeth, who never married. 

Elbert, son of Cullen, married, first, Morning Harrell, and they 
were the parents of: John R., who married a Boutwell; Elbert, who 
married a Thompson; B. A., who married Susie Ann Cason; W. L., 
who married, first, Nancy Harrell, and second, Martha Smith; Jim, 
who married a Thompson; Monroe, who married a Parkerson; 
Nancy, who married John Harrell. Elbert next married Katie Wig¬ 
gins, and they were the parents of: Emmett, who married a Nixon; 
Elzy, who married a Cannon; Earley, who never married. 

Martha, daughter of Cullen, married Joe Jones, and they were 
the parents of: Frances, who married Ben F. Horne; Bob, who mar¬ 
ried Lou Grissom; Babe, who married Carr Smith; Eliza, who mar¬ 
ried John L. McCranie; Isabel, who married a preacher Dunn; Car¬ 
rie, who married a Hightower; William, who married a Butler. 

Frances, daughter of Cullen, married William Raffield, and they 
were the parents of: Matthew, who married a daughter of George 
Dunn. 

Edith, daughter of Cullen, married Charlie Rogers, and they were 
the parents of: John J., who married, first, a Yawn, and second, 
Sallie J. McCranie; Cullen, who married Millie Ann Harrell; Burn- 


Some Pioneers and Their Descendants 


239 


ham; Roberson, who married Bettie Norris; Needham, who married 
a Parkerson; Julia, who married John Smith. 

Caroline, daughter of Cullen, married Dave Williams, and they 
were the parents of: Mary, who married J. W. Cadwell; Martha, 
who married T. P. Haupt; James W., who married, first, Sarah 
Burch, and second, Nannie Reaves; Bart, who married a Lancaster. 

Jim, son of John, Sr., married a Thompson, and they were the 
parents of: John W., who married Ouida Brannen. Jim next mar¬ 
ried Johnnie Rozar, and they were the parents of: Ozro, who mar¬ 
ried Ora O’Connor; Carrie, who married Jim Thompson; Essie, who 
married Joel Jones; Cleo, who married Fred Johns; Lona, who mar¬ 
ried Joe Dupree; Claude, who married Nelle Norman. Jim married 
third, Eliza Mullis, and they were the parents of: Roy; Ruby, who 
married A. R. Ross; Romulus. 

Elbert, Jr., son of John, married, first, Sophia Harrell, and they 
were the parents of: William, who married Beula Rogers; John J., 
who married Hattie Lunceford; Charlie, who married a Rogers. 
Elbert next married Izola Lunceford, and they were the parents of: 
Emma; Oppie Lee, who married Wade Coleman; Lillie Mae, who 
married W. C. Pinnell; Rubie; Seabie. 

George, son of John, Sr., married Mary Phillips, and they were 
parents of: a daughter who married J. W. Jones; a daughter who 
married Green Bateman; a daughter who married Charlie Clements. 

Henry A., son of John, Sr., married a daughter of Love Brown, and 
they were the parents of: a daughter who married Arthur Rawlins; 
a daughter who married Whiddon Floyd; a daughter who married 
Bob Lewis; Gus; Hubbard, who married a Quillian. 

Sam, son of John, Sr., married Margaret Mullis, and they were 
the parents of: Minnie, who married J. J. Tripp; Walter, who mar¬ 
ried Etta Livingston; Ivey, who married a Parkerson; Docia, who 
married Luther Cofield; a daughter who married Hamp Johns. 

John R., Jr., son of John, Sr., married, first, Lonie Rozar, and had 
one daughter, Siddie, who married W. S. Milner. He next married 
Mary Floyd and they were the parents of: Ennis, who married a 
Smith; a daughter who married O. V. Yearty; a daughter who mar¬ 
ried a Douglas; Cullen. 

Richard, son of John, Sr., married Bedie Ann Giddens, and they 
were the parents of: Homer, who married Annie Spear; Roscoe, 


240 


History of Dodge County 


who married Mary Kingery; Harlow; Julia, who married Berry 
Mullis. 

Joe, son of John, Sr., married Dora Rawlins, and they were the 
parents of: Pearl, who married Dr. Joe Vara; Donald; Paul, who 
married Maude Willis; Norbert; Minnie; Joe Elise. 

C. L., son of John, Sr., married Lillian Cooper, and they were 
the parents of: Maude, who married John B. Hutchins; Myrtice, 
who married W. C. Henry; Evelyn, who married W. Frank Burson; 
Gertrude. 

The Phillips Family. 

Elias Phillips, head of this family, married Julia Hall, daughter 
of James Hall, of Montgomery County. Their children were: Nancy 
Ann, who married B. T. Moore; Mary, who married George Pea¬ 
cock; John Franklin; W. J., who married a Miss Faircloth; Axom, 
who married Cerina Nicholson, daughter of S. C. Nicholson. 

Axom, son of Elias, married ^wiialH^ ^anJ^hm^children were: 
C. S., who married a Lister; W. W., who married Ruby Hargrove; 
Y. M., who married a Miss Bush; Earley; Mary Jane, who married 
John L. Harrell; Minnie married Frank Jones; Mattie married John 
E. Floyd; Byrdie married W. R. Taylor. 

The Rawlins Family. 

Nicholas Rawlins was a pioneer settler in this county. He mar¬ 
ried Rosa J. Grimsley, and they were the parents of: J. T.; J. C.; 
A. M.; G. W.; C. W.; Bettie; Marshall; Joseph, who died at the 
age of eighteen years; and Sam, who died at the age of twenty-three 
years. 

The Rawlins family is one of the largest in the county, but we 
were unable to get the history of the descendants of Nicholas Raw¬ 
lins. This family has been active in the upbuilding of Dodge 
County; J. C. Rawlins, son of Nicholas, having been Clerk of the 
Superior Court for a number of years, Mayor of the City of East¬ 
man, and he also represented Dodge County in the Georgia Legisla¬ 
ture. Other sons and grandsons of Nicholas Rawlins are among the 
most prominent citizens of the county. 


Some Pioneers and Their Descendants 


241 


The Reaves Family. 

Drewey Reaves, who came from North Carolina, was among the 
earliest settlers in this section. He settled in the lower part of this 
county near the Ocmulgee River, and is buried beyond Rhine near 
Abbeville. 

Drewey Reaves was the father of the following children: John, 
who married Sealey Burnham; Phillip, who married Eliza Boney; 
Martha, who married Wright Tomelin; Sarah, who married Wil¬ 
liam Akredge; Mary, who married Charlie Powell; Celie, who mar¬ 
ried George Reid; Joseph, who married Eliza Roundtree; Creecie, 
who married a Tatum. 

John, son of Drewey, married Sealey Burnham, and their children 
were: J. A., who married Millie Ann Lowery; Rev. Alfred, who 
married Annie Wilson; James, who married Mantha Weeks; Bettie, 
who married a Statum; Celie, who married Dan Ryals; Wright. 

Phillip, son of Drewey, was a Missionary Baptist preacher. He 
married Eliza Boney, and they were the parents of: Phoebe, who 
married John McLeod; Sarah, who married Allie McLeod; Lizzie, 
who married Steve Law; Steve, who married Mary Studstill; Mary, 
who married Bill Dowdy; Celey, who married Bill Conley; Martha, 
who married Malcolm J. McDuffie; Cullen; Babe. 

Josiah, son of Drewey, married Eliza Roundtree, and their chil¬ 
dren were: Moses; Drew; James; Mary; Martha; John; James D.; 
Sara Elizabeth; Annie; George R.; William R.; Nancy; Phillip A.; 
Celey. 

Drew, son of Josiah, was a Confederate soldier and died in service. 
Mary E., daughter of Josiah, married Wright Harrell; Martha, 
daughter of Josiah, married Dan McCranie; James D., son of Josiah, 
married Katie McLeod; George R., son of Josiah, married Sallie 
Brown; Phillip A., son of Josiah, married Ella Phillips; Nancy, 
daughter of Josiah, married, first, T. M. Mullis, and second, J. D. 
Williams. 

The Rogers Family. 

Four Rogers brothers settled in this county at an early date. They 
were Jim, Charles, Thomas and Bob. 

Jim Rogers married Elizabeth Horsford, sister of C. C. Horsford, 


242 


History of Dodge County 


and they were the parents of: Cicero R.; Charles M.; Julia, who 
married D. M. Rawlins; Rosella, who married C. W. Rawlins. 

Charlie Rogers, pioneer, married Edith Peacock, and their chil¬ 
dren were: John J., who married Sallie McCranie, daughter of 
Daniel McCranie; Cullen, who married Millie Ann Harrell Burn¬ 
ham; Roberson, who married Bettie Norris; Needham, who married 
Mary Jane Parkerson, and then a Miss Boutwell; Louisa, who mar¬ 
ried a Yawn; Julie Ann, who married Needham Joiner; Mary, who 
married Hugh Taylor. 

Thomas Rogers, pioneer, married a Miss Mullis, and they were 
the parents of: Jesse, who married a Miss Atkinson, first, and 
second, Louisa Anderson; Martin, who married Rachel Saturday; 
Tom, who married Mary Jones; Cullen, who married, first, a Miss 
Edge, and then a Miss Raffield. 

Bob Rogers, pioneer, was the father of W. P. Rogers, Sr., and 
W. P. married Elizabeth Rogers. They were the parents of: Ella, 
who married Elisha Evans; John R., who married Hennie Ragan; 
Fannie, who married C. R. Nicholson; Mettie, who married E. W. 
Griffin; Jimmie, who married Eva Lancaster; W. P., Jr., who married 
Addie Stripling. 

Charles M., son of Jim, the pioneer, married Sallie W. Lister, and 
their children were: Steward A.; Rose, who married P. L. Howard; 
C. M, Jr. 

Cicero R., son of Jim Rogers, pioneer, married Julia Garrett, and 
their children were: a daughter who married Wesley Horne; Au¬ 
relia, who married a Stinson; Thelma, who married a Brown; Rose, 
who married a Moore; Wilbur; Theo; Massey. 

Roberson, son of Charlie, the pioneer, married Bettie Norris, and 
their children were: Ben, who married Lizzie Cannon; Mattie, who 
married John Sheppard; Isaac, who married Winnie Sheffield; Bart, 
who married Fanny Rogers; Roberson, Jr., who married Georgia 
Joiner; Lizzie, who married Will Joiner; Calvin, who married Pearl 
Brown; James Cullen. 

Cullen, son of Charlie, the pioneer, married Millie Ann Harrell 
Burnham, and their children were: J. Lovett; W. C.; Cullen; one 
daughter who married Needham Joiner; and one daughter who mar¬ 
ried Warren Nixon. 


Some Pioneers and Their. Descendants 


243 


Charlie, son of Thomas, the pioneer, married Carrie Fulghum, 
and they were the parents of: Lydia; Christine; Ella; Camilla; 
Mary, who married Perry Fitzgerald; Ben; Charlie, who married a 
Miss Butler. 

Sallie, daughter of Thomas, married Jake Livingston, and their 
children were: Martin, who married a Miss Wright; Shillie, who 
married R. W. Yawn; Tom; Reuben; Charlie, who married Minnie 
Peacock, daughter of S. M. Peacock. 

Jesse, son of Thomas, the pioneer, married a Miss Atkinson, and 
they were the parents of: James Cullen, who was for many years 
Sheriff of Dodge County; Sam T., Sr. His second wife was Louisa 
Anderson, and they were the parents of: Clem; G. C., who is the 
present Sheriff of Dodge County. 

Martin, son of Thomas, the pioneer, married Rachel Saturday, and 
their children were: Wheeler; Wilbur; Cullen Eugene; Ennis; 
M. H.; Leila; Clifford. 

Cullen, son of Thomas, the pioneer, married a Miss Edge and 
they were the parents of: Jess, who married a Miss Myers. Cullen’s 
second wife was Emily Raffield, and their children were: John Ross, 
who married Mary Graham, daughter of John T. Graham; Beula, 
who married William F. Peacock; T. W.; Morris; Edith, who mar¬ 
ried Henry Peacock; Minnie, who married DeLacey Cad well. 

Tom, son of Thomas, the pioneer, married Mary Jones, and their 
children were: John T.; Monroe; Charlie; Will J.; Sara, wife of 
Frank Parkerson; Nancy, who married Joel F. Coleman; Lucilla, 
who married Charlie Peacock; Ida, who married Wade Coleman, Jr. 

The Rozar Family. 

The Rozar family trace their ancestors back to North Carolina. 
The name is said to be of French origin, but evidently came through 
England, as the family is typically English, with here and there some 
Irish showing. 

Robert Rozar was born in 1756 in Halifax County, North Caro¬ 
lina, and at the age of nineteen, while a resident of Bladen County, 
enlisted in Col. Brown’s North Carolina Regiment, and began serv¬ 
ice as a Revolutionary soldier. In the winter of 1781 or ’82 he 


244 


History of Dodge County 


moved to Georgetown Parish in South Carolina, and enlisted in Col. 
Horry’s South Carolina Regiment. 

After the Revolution Robert Rozar moved to Wilkinson County, 
Georgia, and became one of the early settlers of that county. He 
lived the life of a planter of his day, as his will would indicate 
when he disposed of his money and slaves. He lived to the ripe age 
of eighty-four. 

From this early settler of Wilkinson County came the Rozar 
family of Dodge County. Among the early settlers who came to Dodge 
was Charles M. Rozar. He settled near the present site of Bethel 
church many years previous to the War Between the States. He 
perhaps settled in the wild woods of that section about 1835 or 1840. 
He became a leading citizen and large land owner; it is said his 
sheep were so numerous he never knew how many he owned. He 
was married three times. One of his wives was Miss Sara Lister, 
sister of Dan Lister, and from this union was born a son, C. M. 
Rozar, commonly known as “Boss Rozar,” and from an earlier mar¬ 
riage came J. J. Rozar, who was elected first Ordinary of Dodge 
County. He served eighteen years and died while holding office. He 
was more commonly known as Judge Rozar. An avenue in Eastman 
was named in his honor. C. M. (“Boss”), half brother to J. J. 
(Judge), was later elected one of the five road commissioners of 
Dodge County, and was serving as such when the present court 
house was erected. Both died a few years ago, leaving large fam¬ 
ilies. They are remembered as leaders among men. Boss Rozar made 
his home and died in the Bethel church community. He was an 
auctioneer and went far and near to hold auction sales. He is buried 
in Rozar cemetery on his old homestead. His father, C. M., was a 
Confederate soldier. The children of C. M. (Boss) are several girls 
and four boys: J. J. and Jack, who are farmers on the old home¬ 
stead; Frank, who holds a responsible position with the Berry 
Schools at Rome, Ga.; C. M., Jr., is with the Coastal Plains Chev¬ 
rolet Co. at Brunswick. 

A brother to old man C. M., who was named Shade Rozar, reared 
a family in Wilkinson County. He was a large planter, ran a 
public gin, and was interested in schools. He reared a family of 
several girls and three boys, viz.: Dan, who married a Miss Cole¬ 
man near Chester, and reared several children; William, who mar- 


Some Pioneers and Their Descendants 245 

lied a Mrs. Rogers; James Washington, who married Isabella 
Lister, a sister to Dan Lister. He was a Confederate soldier. He 
reared a family of several girls and one boy, viz.: Charles B. 
Rozar; James Washington Rozar, who taught school in his early 
days. He taught the first school ever held at Bethel church in this 
county and was considered well educated for those days. He died at 
the age of eighty-nine and is buried in Rozar cemetery. 

Charles B. Rozar married Annie Hall, daughter of W. R. Hall, 
Sr. Mr. Rozar invented and patented the first knocker guano dis¬ 
tributor. This was an ordinary plow stock with a wheel in front, 
with proper hopper and irons. Later he invented and patented a 
knocker with a wheel behind, the first of its kind to be put on the 
market. This style of guano distributor has become generally used 
by the farmers of the agricultural states. 

Mr. and Mrs. Rozar are the parents of: Minnie Ola; Annie Mae; 
Ruth; Walter C.; and Albert E. Albert E. served as cashier of the 
Bank of Eastman several years, and also taught school in Dodge and 
other counties. He is now with the U. S. Government in Winston- 
Salem, N. C. He married Mattie Morris, of Pearson, Ga., and to 
this union has been born two children, Albertine and Morris. He 
served in the World War in the 82nd Division, having seen service 
overseas in some of the major battles. He is a Methodist, Demo¬ 
crat, and a charter member of the Dodge County Post, American 
Legion. 

Walter C. Rozar, who is now County School Superintendent, hav¬ 
ing served eight years in this capacity, taught school several years 
in this county and other counties in the State. He was married in 
1919 to Beula Pafford, and to this union has been born one son, 
W. C. Rozar, Jr. He was a soldier in the World War, Corporal in 
the Supply Company of the 17th Infantry, 12th Division. He is a 
charter member of the Dodge County Post, American Legion, also 
past Commander of the Legion. During his term of office as School 
Superintendent he has been an advocate of the cause of the under¬ 
privileged child. He has succeeded in making available a high 
school education for all the children of the county. His three 
sisters are now teaching in Dodge County, and many of his ancestors 
were teachers. 

The Rozar family has never been numerous in Dodge County, 


246 


History of Dodge County 


perhaps not more than fifteen men of this name have ever lived in 
the county at one time, yet they have contributed their part to the 
trend of progress in bringing Dodge County from the wilderness to 
the present state. They have always advocated better schools and 
clean government, and the entire race has assumed leadership in the 
march of progress. 

The Ryals Family. 

William A. RyaJs was a Revolutionary soldier from North Caro¬ 
lina. His wife was a Miss McDonald, and they were the parents of: 
Joe, who married a Miss Connor; Jack, who married Maria Connor; 
Maria, who married a Connor and was the mother of J. J. Connor, 
former Commissioner of Agriculture of Georgia; Tom, who married 
a Miss Burch, sister to R. F. Burch, Sr.; David; Jim, who mar¬ 
ried Beckie Yarbrough. 

Jim, son of William A., who married a Beckie Yarbrough, 
was the father of Annie, who married Capt. John McCranie; Beckie 
Ann, who married Peter Bowen; Ellen, who married Richard 
Dowdy; Edie, who married John Barron; Jim, Jr., who married a 
Miss Gladden; Add, who married a Miss Barron. 

Tom, son of William A., and his wife, a Miss Burch, were the 
parents of: Nathan, who married a Miss Gladden; Orrian, who mar¬ 
ried a Miss Dunn; one daughter who married John Buchannan; 
another daughter who married a Clements; and a son, Hamilton. 

Jack, son of William A., married Maria Connor, and they were 
the parents of: William; Wilson; John J.; Dr. James; Joe; Bryant; 
Dr. Henry; Lawrence A.; Edith, who married Billie Daniel; Maria, 
who married Dan Curry; Mary, who married John W. McArthur; 
Lizzie, who married a Morrison; one daughter married a Gray; and 
one married another McArthur. 

David, son of William A., was a Baptist preacher. He settled 
near Hopewell church, not far from the Ocmulgee River. His chil¬ 
dren were: John, who married Katie McIntyre; William, who mar¬ 
ried Martha Noweling; and a daughter who married Barney Barron. 

John, son of David, married Katie McIntyre, and they were the 
parents of: Jack, who was a Confederate soldier and died soon 
after the war; William and Thomas, who were also Confederate 
soldiers; Baldy, who married a Miss Sapp; Jim, who married Mollie 


Some Pioneers and Their Descendants 


247 


Campbell; Mary, who married a Hunter; George, who married, first, 
a Miss Swymer, and second, a Miss Martin, and third, a Miss Mc¬ 
Duffie; William Thomas, who married Nettie McLeod; Emma, who 
married, first, a Hamilton, second, a Phillips, and third, a Cooper; 
Daniel, who married Celia Reaves. 

William, son of David, who was a son of William A., married 
Martha Noweling, and they were the parents of: David, who mar¬ 
ried Callie Studstill; and Mary Jane, who married J. B. Studstill. 

William Thomas, son of John, who was son of David, married 
Nettie McLeod, and their children were: Kathleen, who married 
Emmett Carr; George, who married Essie Yancey; John B.; Carrie 
Mae, who married Willie Studstill; Omie; Tom. 

James, son of John, who was son of David, married Mollie Camp¬ 
bell, and they were the parents of: W. C.; Archie; Alice, who 
married a Walker; John, who married a Finlayson. 

Baldy, son of John, who was son of David, married a Miss Sapp, 
and they were the parents of: John, who married Beckie Reaves; 
Sallie, who married Dick Bowen; Gordon, who married a Bohan¬ 
non; Mattie, who married a Ford; Emma, who married a Campbell; 
Tiney. 

Mary, daughter of John, who was son of David, married a Hun¬ 
ter, and they were the parents of: Joe; Mollie; Emma. 

John J., who was the son of Jack Ryals and his wife Maria 
Connor, married Sallie Willcox, and they were the parents of: 
Maria, who married Andrew Jackson McCranie; Mollie, who mar¬ 
ried Dr. John K. Maloy; John Edith, who married Calvin Brown. 

Mollie, daughter of John J. Ryals, married Dr. John K. Maloy, 
and they were the parents of: John C., who married Leila Williams; 
Mae, who married T. A. McMillan; Dr. D. W. F. (“Tuck”), who 
married, first, Carrie Taylor, and second, Clara Bullington; Sallie, 
who married Walter Royal; Grace, who married Dr. T. J. McMillan. 

The Walker Family. 

Three Walker brothers came from North Carolina. They were 
Jim, Matthew and Joe. 

Jim married a daughter of Ben Clark and they were the parents 
of: W. E. and John. W. E. married Emma Burch, and John mar- 


248 


History of Dodge County 


ried Georgia Burch, both daughters of Dr. William Burch and his 
wife Susan Willcox, daughter of Mark Willcox. W. E. and his 
wife Emma Burch were the parents of: Eddie; Lee; Murrell; Sea¬ 
born Jackson; Sudie, who married W. H. Coleman; Carlton; Neal; 
and a daughter who married a Cook. John and his wife Georgia 
Burch, were the parents of: Jim, who married a Dowdy; Mamie, 
who married A. J. Yancey. 

Matthew was the father of Tom and a daughter who married 
Lovett Harrell. 

Joe was the father of two children. They were: Jim Crowe; and 
a daughter who married Dr. Absolom Johnson and were the par¬ 
ents of Joe Johnson, of Rhine. 

The Williams Family. 

Joseph Williams was a pioneer settler in Telfair County. He 
lost his life in a boat explosion on the Ocmulgee River in the spring 
of 1861. The boat was the General Manning. He was the father of 
the late Col. Wiley J. Williams, of Eastman, who represented both 
Telfair and Dodge Counties in the Georgia Legislature. 

Col. Williams was a Lieutenant-Colonel of the 49th Georgia Regi¬ 
ment of the Confederate army, having been promoted to this position 
on account of gallant conduct at the Battle of Cold Harbor. He 
received this promotion on the 24th of March, 1864. 

Col. Williams married, first, Mary Willcox, and they were the 
parents of: Cora, who married Romulus Cook; Joe, who never 
married; Nannie, who married W. T. Hargrove; Rebecca, who mar¬ 
ried Will Evans; Sallie, who married Lewis Rawlins. His second 
wife was Rebecca Willcox, and his third wife a Miss Mizell. 

The Willcox Family. 

The Willcox family of Dodge County descended from John Will¬ 
cox, Sr., of North Carolina, who was a soldier in the Revolutionary 
war. His wife was Rebecca Butler, and they were the parents of: 
Elizabeth, who married Lewis Barger; John, who married Mary 
Lea; Jane, who married James Allston; Thomas, who married a 
McSwain; James, who married, first, Winnifred Talley, and second, 
Margaret McMullen; George, who married, first, Mary Tyson, and 
second, Margaret Martin; Rebecca, who married James Willcox. 


Some Pioneers and Their Descendants 


249 


John and his wife, Mary Lea, came to this section about the time 
that Telfair County was created, 1807, and settled on the Ocmulgee 
River, near Temperance, a few miles from Rhine. He was a boat 
builder in the days of pole boats and established a boat yard near 
his residence. He built and operated pole boats on the river, and 
during the war of 1812-1815 was employed by the army to transport 
army supplies from Hartford to points along the Ocmulgee and 
Altamaha Rivers. He was also a planter and mechanic. He was 
the father of a large family, his descendants being scattered over 
the counties of Dodge, Telfair and Wilcox. Following is as near a 
complete list of his descendants as we were able to obtain: John, 
who married, first, Mary Daniel, and second, Louise Connor; Mark 
Lee, who married Sarah Ann Elizabeth Coffee; Mitchell G., who 
married Martha Swain; Woodson, who married Susan Swain; James 
Lea, who married Bettie McDuffie; George, who married Sallie 
Daniel; Thomas, who married Abbie McDuffie; Lewis Barges, who 
married Sarah McDuffie; Clark, who married, first, Jane Fuller, and 
second, Sudie Reid; Joseph. 

Mark Lee, son of John, was an Indian fighter and became a 
General. He also served his county in the Legislature, and the 
county of Wilcox was named in his honor. He married Sarah Ann 
Elizabeth Coffee, daughter of General John Coffee, and they were 
the parents of: Andrew Jackson, who married Gertrude Rogers; 
John C., who married Lizzie Swain; Tom Pete, who married Susan 
Coffee; Ann, who married Seaborn Burch; Polly, who married Tom 
Adams; Susan, who married Dr. William E. Burch; Jane, who mar¬ 
ried Wright Collins; Virginia, who married Wright Carswell; Re¬ 
becca, who married Yancey Griffin; Mittie, who married Allen Deen; 
a daughter, Lewis, who married George Adams. 

John, son of John and Mary Lea, married, first, Mary Daniel, and 
they were the parents of: Nancy, who married, first, Hendley Har¬ 
rell, and second, Noah Cobb; Sallie, who married John J. Ryals; 
George, who was killed in the War Between the States. John married, 
second, Louise Connor, and they were the parents of: Wilson, who 
was killed in the war of the sixties; Lewis, who married Martha 
Julia Willcox; Mittie, who married Levi Harrell; Harriet, who 
married William Harrell; Rebecca, who married John Boney. 


250 


History of Dodge County 


Mitchell G., son of John, the pioneer, married Martha Swain, and 
they were the parents of: Thomas S., Jr., who married Sarah Hamil¬ 
ton; James, who married Ann Brown; George M., who married 
Leila Calhoun; Mattie, who married Lewis Willcox; Melcina, who 
married Woot Clements; Elizabeth (“Tack”), who married Levi 
Evans; Joe, who married Eliza Hamilton; John S. (“Trick”), who 
married Mollie Hamilton; Nannie^ who married Norman Doster; 
Sallie, who married Frank Haskins; Mary, who was the first wife 
of Wiley J. Williams; and Rebecca, who became the second wife of 
Wiley J. Williams; Susanna, who married William Campbell; 
Lewis. 

Clark, son of John, the pioneer, married Jane Fuller. His second 
wife was Sudie Reid, and they were the parents of: W. A., who 
married Ida Marchant; R. L., who married Effie Burch; John, who 
married Mollie Clark; Sudie; Mary, who married John Doster; 
Nannie, who married Mike Brophy; George R., who married, first, 
Rebecca Campbell, and second, Melcina Hamilton. 

Andrew Jackson, son of Gen. Mark Lee Willcox, married Gertrude 
Rogers, and they were the parents of Mary Helen, who married 
James M. Arthur. 

Thomas S., Jr., son of Mitchell G., married Sarah Hamilton, and 
they were the parents of: Joe; Hamilton, who married Mae Cook; 
Anna, who married T. 0. Bozeman; Mae, who married Ben G. 
Harrell; Louise. 

Joe, son of Mitchell G., married Eliza Hamilton, and they were 
the parents of: John Mitchell, who married Mary Causley; Maggie, 
who married John M. Clark; Mattie, who married E. W. Millican; 
Joe Lee, who married a Heath. 

George M., son of James and his wife, Bettie McDuffie, married 
Nannie Daniel, and they were the parents of: J. Y., who married, 
first, Lydia Humphrey, and second, Lillie Bowen Thompson; Jack, 
who married Beckie Harrell; W. C., who married Lula Harrell; 
Clark, who married Alice Lowery; N. H., who married, first, Maggie 
Bowen, and second, Nettie Harrell; G. M., who married Fannie 
Kirkland; Sophronia, who married S. B. Daniel; Callie, who mar¬ 
ried L. A. Harrell; Sadie, who married John Land; Bettie, who 
married J. S. Bohannon. 


Some Pioneers and Their Descendants 


251 


N. H., son of George M., married Maggie Bowen, and they were 
the parents of: Jim Buck, who married Mattie Thompson; Bessie, 
who married L. T. Thompson; Mary, who married Tom Bryant; 
Nannie, who married Charlie Cheek; Johnnie T. 

Lewis, son of John, the third, married Martha Julia Willcox, and 
they were the parents of: Robert Lee, who married Mamie Ross; 
Mitchell, who married Willie Mae Mann; J. K., who married Mar¬ 
garet Rebecca Coffee; James C., who married Stella Daniel; Lewis, 
who married Edna Mitchell; Stella, who married Dr. P. D. Hicks; 
Ruth, who married H. H. Odum; Grady. 

The Williamson Family. 

Rev. James Williamson, a native of Scotland, moved to Telfair 
in the early days. He was a noted Baptist minister and teacher be¬ 
fore the war, and for several years after. Many of the leading men 
and women of this section were his pupils. In I860, he, with the 
late Hugh McLeon, was elected as a union delegate to the Secession 
Convention which met at Milledgeville early in 1861, and passed 
the ordinance of secession putting Georgia out of the Union. He 
voted against the ordinance, Telfair County being opposed to seces¬ 
sion. Being a prominent minister, he was accorded the honor of 
opening the convention with prayer, which is printed in full in the 
journal of the convention. He was the father of John K. William¬ 
son, who was also a prominent teacher for many years following the 
close of the war. 

Rev. James Williamson, the pioneer, married a widow Harvey. 
Mrs. Harvey’s children were Curtis and Raymond Harvey. Curtis 
married a Miss Farce. The Williamson children were: John K., 
who married Maria Mizell; Mary, who married Daniel H. Maloy; 
Margaret, who married Young Harrell; James, who married Lizzie 
Parker. 

John K., son of Rev. James, the pioneer, married Maria Mizell, 
daughter of William Mizell, Sr., and they settled at Rhine. Their 
only child was Dr. J. G. Williamson, who married Lula Smith, first, 
and then a widow McCranie, who was Miss Annie McLeod. 

James, son of old man James, the pioneer, married Lizzie Parker. 
James was also a preacher and teacher. He was the father of: Mary, 


252 


History of Dodge County 


who married H. B. Maloy; and Lillian, who married Morgan Lan¬ 
caster. 

D. A. Cooper. 

Daniel Andrews Cooper was an early settler in the town of East¬ 
man. Mr. Cooper came here from Sampson County, North Carolina, 
and was a school teacher, later becoming a lumberman and farmer. 
He was a great-grandson of Rev. Fleet Cooper, one of the signers 
of the Oath of Allegiance to the State of North Carolina. 

Mr. Cooper was married to Sara A. Bullard in 1869, and they 
were parents of the following children: Irene Kimberley Cooper; 
Lillian Cooper Peacock; Pearl; Virginia Cooper Arthur; Eunice 
Cooper Smith; R. W., graduate of law from Wake Forest College, 
North Carolina, and also a soldier in the World War; Lieut. Col. 
Hiram M. Cooper, graduate from West Point, New York, U. S. 
Military Academy; George W., who is a merchant; and J. D. and 
Robert T., who are also merchants and bankers. 

Part of the sons of Mr. Cooper entered politics, and all of the 
daughters were school teachers of Dodge County. Mr. Cooper was 
a Confederate veteran, having served in Company C, 36th Regi¬ 
ment, North Carolina Troops, from October 31, 1862, until the 
close in 1865. 

Col. John F. DeLacey. 

Col. J. F. DeLacey was among the early arrivals in Eastman. He 
was born and reared in New York and was of Irish descent. He 
came to Appling County, Georgia, when quite a young man. He 
studied law under Col. Middleton Graham and was admitted to the 
bar. He came to Eastman in 1875 and began the practice of his pro¬ 
fession. He was Mayor of Eastman several different times, and 
served as Chairman of the Board of Education for several years. 
He was elected to the Legislature in 1882 and again in 1888. and 
was one of the Omaha Fair Commissioners in 1898. He was Solici¬ 
tor-General of the Oconee Judicial Circuit eight years. In 1883 he 
and Col. James Bishop, Jr., formed a law partnership which con¬ 
tinued until the death of Mr. Bishop. Col. DeLacey was Lieutenant- 
Colonel on the Staff of Governor Allen D. Candler. 

Col. DeLacey married, first, Miss Rebecca Hall, of Appling 
County, and they were the parents of: one daughter, May, who mar- 


Some Pioneers and Their Descendants 


253 


ried W. L. Jessup; Will H., who became a prominent physician in 
Florida. His second wife was Miss Ella Barnes. 

M. H. Etlwards. 

Mr. M. H. Edwards came to Eastman in its early days from 
Liberty County. He engaged in the mercantile business for many 
years, and was one of the leading citizens, being deeply interested 
in religious and educational work. He was one of the pillars of the 
Eastman Baptist church from the time of its organization until his 
death. 

He married Miss Orlena Carr of this city, and their children were: 
Carrie Belle, who married Col. E. E. Persons; Nelle, who married, 
first, S. J. Hargrove, and second, a Mr. Johnson, of Texas; Edwin, 
who resides in Louisiana; Christine, the wife of Dr. Warren A. 
Coleman; Willard; Fanny Harris; M. C., who has been City Man¬ 
ager the past several years. His wife was Miss Chester Ragan, of 
this city. 

T. H. Edwards. 

Mr. T. H. Edwards, another of the early settlers in Eastman, came 
here in young manhood and engaged in the mercantile business with 
his brother, M. H. Edwards. Mr. Edwards has been prominently 
identified with all civic improvements in Eastman, and has been one 
of the leading members of the Eastman Baptist church. 

He married, first, Miss Eugenia Campbell, of Thomaston, and 
they were the parents of: Mary, who married C. A. L. Anderson; 
T. C., who married Inez Hodges; C. B., who married Mary Douglas; 
Susie, who is deceased; Eugenia, who married Scotty McCranie and 
is deceased; Martha, who married the Rev. Judson Burrell. 

L. M. Peacock. 

Mr. L. M. Peacock was one of the first settlers in Eastman, and he 
took a great interest in the growth and upbuilding of the town. He 
was mayor several times, and served as a member of the school 
board more terms than any man who has ever lived in Eastman. He 
was always deeply interested in the educational development of 
Eastman and Dodge County. He was one of the most prominent 
members of the Eastman Methodist church. He was a Confederate 



THE MAUSOLEUM OF MR. A. G. WILLIAMSON 

At Orphans Church Cemetery, three miles from, Eastman. It is the only 
mausoleum in the county and is a magnificent work of art, the 
carving having been done by an Italian sculptor. 











Some Pioneers and Their Descendants 


255 


veteran, having served as Sergeant in Co. D, 8th Georgia Regiment. 

Mr. Peacock married Miss Valeria Sauls and to this union were 
born the following children: L. M., Jr., who married Miss Vassye 
Harrell; Etna, who married W. D. Webster; Clifford, who married, 
first, Dr. McGhee, and second, Wm. McRae; L. S., who married Mae 
Simmons; Bessie, who married Dr. A. L. Wilkins; Estoria, who 
married Sidney Stevens. 

C. H. Peacock. 

Mr. C. H. Peacock was another of the early settlers in Eastman. 
He was a brother to L. M. Peacock, Sr. He was a merchant and a 
banker, and to him is attributed a large part of the growth and de¬ 
velopment of this section. Mr. Peacock contributed largely of his 
labors and means to the building of the handsome Methodist church 
in Eastman. He was president of the Citizens Banking Company for 
many years, and was a very successful business man. He repre¬ 
sented this senatorial district two terms. 

Mr. Peacock married Miss Ophelia Edwards, and they were par¬ 
ents of: Lillie Mae, who married S. C. Smiley; Pearl, who married 
W. L. Mathers; Julia, who married Jimmie Fitzgerald; Charlie Har¬ 
den, who married Pauline Thompson. 

A. G. Williamson. 

Mr. A. G. Williamson came to Eastman from North Carolina in 
early manhood. By thrift, untiring energy, and close attention to 
business, he accumulated large holdings of real estate in this county. 
He began his career in the turpentine business, which he followed 
for a number of years, after which he engaged in farming, being one 
of the leading farmers in the county. He owned about eight thou¬ 
sand acres of land at the time of his death. He was a quiet and 
unassuming man, but loyal to his friends. He took great interest in 
religious work, having built and donated to the Christian denomina¬ 
tion the church known as Orphans church, located about three miles 
west of Eastman. Mr. Williamson served as Ordinary of the county 
several years. 

He married Miss Mattie Buchan. No children were born to this 
union, and at his death the majority of his property was bequeathed 
to his nephew, Mr. J. G. Williamson, who married Miss Georgia 


256 


History of Dodge County 


Lee Graham, daughter of Judge E. D. Graham, and they are the 
parents of: Martha Lee; Vannie Gould; and Maude Whaley. 

Mather Wynne. 

Mr. Mather Wynne, known as “the king of merchants in Eastman,” 
came here from Telfair County many years ago, and has been en¬ 
gaged in the mercantile business ever since coming to Eastman, 
except for about five years, at which time he engaged in farming. 
Mr. Wynne has always taken an active interest in all enterprises for 
the upbuilding of the town and county. He has at all times given 
freely of his time and money for the relief of the poor in the 
county, and has done as much, if not more, for the support of the 
Eastman Methodist church than any man who has lived here. He 
is still one of the most active members of the church and Sunday 
school. 

He marriedJMiiS'^r^annie McRae, and to them were born four 
children, viz. r-jthel, who married Pierce Harley; Mabel, who mar¬ 
ried Fred Roberts; Fred; Austin. 


CONCLUSION. 


JN CLOSING this history of Dodge County and her people, we 
note the progress that has been made along all lines in the sixty- 
two years since the creation of the county, and compare the condi¬ 
tions of today with those in the beginning. From the one-room 
school house we have progressed to modern, well equipped school 
buildings with only teachers employed who have college degrees. 
From a school attendance of less than a thousand there are now 
enrolled five thousand children, with forty-four modern school buses 
to transport them to and from school each day. 

We have also made wonderful strides in an agricultural way. 
From 950 bales of cotton produced in the early years we now 
produce something like twenty thousand bales per year. Before the 
advent of the boll weevil in 1920 the number of bales were thirty 
to thirty-five thousand per year. 

In the early days whiskey was sold openly in this county, and at 
one period there were twelve barrooms in the town of Eastman. 
These barrooms have been replaced by handsome business houses. 

From the little sandy trails of earlier days, which were just wide 
enough for a buggy or wagon to travel, we now have sixteen hundred 
miles of well kept public roads throughout the county, with twenty- 
three miles of paved highway extending across the entire county, 
which gives this section a paved highway direct from Atlanta 
through Eastman to Jacksonville, Florida. 

There is also a marked contrast in the way the prisoners are cared 
for today as compared to the long ago. Through our efficient County 
Commissioner, W. D. McCranie, the old prison cages have been 
abandoned and a handsome stockade of concrete, reinforced with 
steel, was erected in 1929. It is modern and sanitary in every re¬ 
spect, being equipped with shower baths and has well ventilated and 
properly heated sleeping quarters, with clean, comfortable cots and 
mattresses. 

Today all of the principal streets in the business section of East¬ 
man are paved with concrete, and paved sidewalks extend through¬ 
out the entire residential section of the town. 


FINIS. 



MAP OF DODGE COUNTY 









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